The Political Librarian Journal

As an open source academic journal, The Political Librarian is dedicated to expanding the discussion of about library advocacy and activism while promoting research and new thinking about policy and funding issues for libraries.

  1. Home
  2. The Political Librarian

The Political Librarian is published at the intersection of local libraries, public policy, education policy, and tax policy. As an open-source academic journal, The Political Librarian is dedicated to expanding the discussion about library advocacy and activism while promoting research and new thinking about library policy and funding issues. We publish a wide range of opinion pieces, research, and peer-reviewed materials on public policy and tax policy issues for libraries. 

Read the current issue of The Political Librarian
Volume 8 • Issue 2 • 2025
on the Open Scholarship platform at Washington University Libraries, ISSN: 2471-3155

https://www.thepoliticallibrarian.org

 

We invite submissions from researchers, practitioners, community members, and others dedicated to furthering the discussion, promoting research, and helping to re-envision tax policy and public policy on the extremely local level. The Political Librarian is actively interested in featuring new voices and lines of inquiry. 

We seek submissions from both researchers and practitioners that fall into one of three submission categories:

  • Opinions/First Drafts – Editorial in nature; the first draft of an idea or argument.
  • White Papers – Longer form discussions that may include research.
  • Peer-Reviewed – Long-form articles that include original research and arguments, and are submitted for review by our Editorial Board and/or external reviewers.

We want to bring in a variety of perspectives to the journal and do not limit our contributors to just those working in the library and information science field in public, academic, and school library settings. We seek submissions from researchers, practitioners, community members, or others dedicated to furthering the discussion, promoting research, and helping to re-envision tax policy and public policy on the extremely local level.

Our editorial guidelines are posted for your review and consideration.

If you have questions about the submission process please email Editor-in-Chief’s Allison Jennings-Roche ([email protected]).

The Political Librarian Archive

Current Issue: Volume 8 • Issue 2 • 2025

Next Issue and Call-For-Submission Deadlines

We invite submissions to a Spring 2026 special issue of The Political Librarian, our journal of public policy, politics, and libraries. Submissions are accepted at this link. Submission Deadline: May 1, 2026.

Call for Papers: Shaping a Collaborative Information Future

Libraries, education, knowledge, memory, and cultural heritage institutions in the US have a shared purpose, vision, and values. In the face of increased political, social, and financial pressure, we hope to find strength in shared practices, goals, and values. Building on the shared work and understanding across and between cultural heritage institutions, the EveryLibrary Institute invites information, memory, library, and cultural heritage professionals, administrators, educators, researchers, policy analysts, and stakeholders to contribute articles, whitepapers, and thought pieces to the Spring 2026 issue of The Political Librarian. This issue will serve as a “big tent” for conversations that will shape the next phase of memory, cultural heritage, and libraries in the United States. 

As we move forward in this time of profound transformation, we know that attacks on libraries, museums, archives, and other memory institutions will likely continue unabated for the foreseeable future, and we welcome articles that address the very real threats facing our institutions right now. By harnessing our collective expertise, skills, and shared frameworks, we have the opportunity to build and rebuild the information landscape into something that will better serve our communities, our ethical commitments, and our professions long into the future. This issue seeks to platform the scholarship, work, and opinions of those working and thinking across the information spectrum, encouraging the kind of creative and coalition-building thinking that will serve us long into the future.

We are actively seeking work that foregrounds opportunities to engender collaboration and find even deeper alignment in practices, process, and ideological underpinnings. Collectively, we need to seek opportunities to encourage dialog at national, state, and local levels in order to shape the kind of information landscape that will emerge in the wake of the sweeping social change transforming American public life. Memory institutions may have institutional differences in the kinds of materials that they ensure access to, and in the types of educational activities they provide; those differences are not visible to those who seek to prevent access and education, and also immaterial to a cohesive and collaborative information future. 

Submissions are welcome from all levels of information, memory, library, and cultural heritage professionals, administrators, educators, researchers, policy analysts, and stakeholders.

 Submissions are encouraged for, but are not limited to, the following areas:

  • Research and scholarship about these issues,
  • Shared frameworks, politics, ideologies,
  • Experiences of practitioners, including wins and losses,
  • Communications strategies,
  • Points of collaboration,
  • Disciplines, communities, frameworks we could learn from, even outside “memory and cultural institutions”, 
  • Advocacy, Lobbying, and Fundraising,
  • Rhetoric and messaging,
  • Law and policy,
  • Historical context,
  • Community engagement,
  • Friends organizations and other supporters of memory, library, and cultural heritage institutions,
  • Archives, museums, and libraries as pillars of democracy
  • Workplace strategies,
  • Types of services, and,
  • Communities served by memory and cultural heritage institutions.

Submissions of complete papers of any length are welcome and should conform to the journal's style and formatting guidelines at the time of submission. Authors are encouraged to review recent issues when preparing their paper. Visit http://www.thepoliticallibrarian.org/ 

AI Statement

The Political Librarian welcomes unique and original contributions to the journal from all levels of scholars, policymakers, and practitioners. The journal’s unique focus and the broad scope, in terms of the style of published pieces, mean we are particularly focused on the authenticity and originality of voices platformed in our journal. As such, we will not publish work that has been drafted or developed using AI technology, which includes but is not limited to text, images, or data visualizations. 

Exceptions to this would be limited to pieces that specifically use AI technology as specific subjects or components of research, or those that use tools to improve English-language readability. Authors using AI technology in such a manner would remain fully responsible for the content of their submissions. If using an AI tool under those parameters, be sure to cite each instance of usage using the Chicago Manual of Style. 

Upon submission, please be sure that the content is the original work of all authors. Undisclosed and inappropriate use of AI, including in citations and bibliographies, may result in the rejection of the piece by the editorial team.

In order to protect the intellectual property and copyright of our contributors, peer reviewers and the editorial team should never upload any work belonging to another author to any generative AI tools to review submissions. 

Any questions or concerns about this policy can be directed to Editor-in-Chief Allison Jennings-Roche at [email protected].

*The Political Librarian's editorial team would like to thank the editorial board of Library Quarterly for leading the way in the development of these kinds of important and evolving policies. 

The EveryLibrary Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of Allison Jennings-Roche as the new Editor-in-Chief of The Political Librarian

Jennings-Roche brings a rare combination of scholarly rigor, policy fluency, and frontline library leadership. She currently serves as Associate Director of Digital Initiatives & Collections at the The University of Baltimore's Library & Archives and is a Ph.D. candidate in Information Studies at the University of Maryland. Her academic and professional portfolio spans information policy, intellectual freedom, digital collections, and inclusive leadership. A Library Journal “Movers & Shakers” (2024) honoree, Jennings-Roche has authored and edited recent work on the legal and political environment for libraries, including guest editing The Political Librarian and writing for Against the Grain that address governance, neutrality, disinformation, and the criminalization of librarianship. She has designed and taught graduate and doctoral coursework on inclusive leadership and information ethics, and regularly speaks on advocacy, policy, and evidence-based practice. In addition to her scholarship and teaching, Jennings-Roche serves in professional leadership roles, including on the board of Library Futures and as Federal Legislative Policy Coordinator for the Maryland Library Association. "The work highlighted in The Political Librarian has never been more important, relevant, or timely,” says Jennings-Roche. “I am so honored and excited to work with its many contributors and the Everylibrary Institute to help shape the future of libraries, cultural heritage, and memory institutions." 

“This is a critical time for the sector to be deeply engaged in developing a new public policy framework that is not only responsive but leading in new ways,” says John Chrastka, Executive Director of the EveryLibrary Institute. “We are eager to work with Allison to support her vision for the journal and those important discussions." 

We are excited to welcome Allison to the team. 

We extend our sincere gratitude to Andrew Thomas Sulavik, who served as Editor-in-Chief for three years and six issues. Through his vision and dedication, he guided the journal into a new era following a multi-year hiatus due to COVID. It has been a privilege to work alongside Andy, and we deeply appreciate his  leadership and lasting contributions to the journal.

The Political Librarian Editorial Board 

Chris Brown, MLIS, MPA, Library Commissioner for the Chicago Public Library, Chicago, IL  

Chris Brown is a visionary leader who serves as Library Commissioner for the Chicago Public Library (CPL), where he has focused on equity and expanded access. He established the first Book Sanctuary. He also forged impactful partnerships to address public health concerns. He championed the creation of a new mental health liaison position. Brown's transformative leadership has established CPL as a model of accessibility, innovation, and community empowerment.

Anthony Chow, Ph.D., Director of San Jose State University iSchool, San Jose, CA

Anthony Chow is a highly experienced Full Professor with expertise in higher education. He specializes in online learning, instructional technology, libraries and information science, systems design, and strategic planning. In addition, he has skills in leadership, management, analytics, informatics, and organizational management. Dr. Chow holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Instructional Technology/Instructional Systems/Human Performance from Florida State University.

Nicole A. Cooke, MLIS, M.Ed., Ph.D., Augusta Baker Endowed Chair at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

Nicole Cooke is an accomplished educator and researcher with extensive experience in the library industry. She holds a B.A. in Communication, an MLS, and a Ph.D. in Communication, Information, and Library Studies, all from Rutgers University, and an M.Ed. in Adult Education from Pennsylvania State University. She has received numerous awards for her work, including the 2016 ALA Equality Award and the 2017 ALA Achievement in Library Diversity Research Award. She has published several books, including "Fake News and Alternative Facts: Information Literacy in a Post-truth Era." 

Rose T. Dawson, MLS, CPM, Executive Director of the Alexandria Library, Alexandra, VA

Rose Timmons Dawson has worked in various District of Columbia Public Library positions. She holds undergraduate and master's degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Rose is a certified racial healing practitioner and a life member of the American Library Association (ALA) and the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA). She has received several awards for her contributions to the library profession, including the UNC-CH School of Information and Library Science Distinguished Alumni Award and the BCALA Distinguished Service to the Library Profession Award. Under her leadership, the Alexandria Library received the 2020 American Library Association's John Cotton Dana Award and the 2020 American Library Association's Excellence in Library Programming Award.

Ewa Dziedzic Elliott, MLIS, Education Librarian at the R. Barbara Gitenstein Library at The College of New Jersey, Ewing Township, NJ

Ewa Dziedzic Elliott has previously worked as a School Library Media Center Specialist for Lawrence Township Public Schools and South Brunswick Township School District in New Jersey. Ewa holds a Master of Library and Information Science degree from Rutgers. She has a certification as a School Library Media Specialist (SLMS). She has contributed several research papers to scholarly, peer-reviewed journals and has received awards for her work. Ewa has also written essays and articles for popular media outlets such as School Library Connection.

Christopher Harris, EdD., Director of the School Library System for the Genesee Valley BOCES, Genesee County, NY

As the Director of the School Library System for the Genesee Valley BOCES, Christopher Harris supports 22 small, rural districts in Western NY. Dr. Harris has received various accolades for his contributions to the field, including recognition as a participant in the first American Library Association Emerging Leaders program in 2007 and as a Library Journal Mover and Shaker in 2008. In 2022, he was named a Senior Fellow for the American Library Association for school libraries and youth policy issues. Dr. Harris holds an Ed.D. from St. John Fisher College. For his dissertation research, he researched helping teachers become more confident in teaching computer science.

Jonathan Harris, MLIS, Director of the Portage County District Library, Garrettsville, OH 

Jonathan Harris has served on the Intellectual Freedom Committee and P.R./Marketing Action Council for the Ohio Library Council. He holds an MLIS from Kent State University and a B.S. in Journalism from Ohio University, where he specialized in Public Relations and Political Communication. He has presented at conferences and staff development days on professional ethics, policy, intellectual freedom, and political messaging. His advocacy work has been featured in both local and national media outlets. He co-authored the introductory chapter of "Millennial Leadership in Libraries" with his father, a retired library director.

Slaven Lee, MLIS, Director of the Missoula Public Library, Missoula, MT 

For 20+ years, Slaven Lee has drawn upon equity and inclusion frameworks to deliver exceptional patron experiences, build meaningful community relationships, and develop innovative services in public libraries. Slaven has held leadership roles in library systems serving rural and urban communities, including the King County Library System (Washington), Queens Public Library (New York City), and the Austin Public Library (Texas). Slaven has been the Executive Director of the award-winning Missoula Public Library in Montana since April 2022 and is excited to have implemented a new strategic plan focusing on community engagement. Slaven is an advocate for ending hunger and is the current Chair of the Missoula Food Bank and Community Center board.

Noah Lenstra, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Library and Information Science at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 

Noah Lenstra is a library and information science scholar, educator, and activist passionate about community engagement, social justice, and public libraries. He founded Let's Move in Libraries, a global initiative connecting public libraries with community health and wellness initiatives. Dr. Lenstra's research focuses on public libraries, community engagement, health information literacy, and physical activity promotion. He strongly advocates for libraries' role in promoting health and well-being. He has published several articles, books, and reports on the topic.

Activity Social Capital