LIS-Editors

A Statement of Ethics and Guide to Best Practices for Editors of Library and Information Science Journals

July 2009

Editorial Committee

Joseph Branin, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Editor: College and Research Libraries

Connie Foster, Western Kentucky University
Editor: Serials Review

Peggy Johnson, University of Minnesota
Editor: LRTS: Library Resources and Technical Services

Gary Pitkin, University of Northern Colorado
Editor: Technical Services Quarterly

Bonnie Tijerina, University of California, Los Angeles
Editor: Journal of Electronic Resources Librarianship

Editorial Assistant
Karla Hahn, Association of Research Libraries

About the LIS Editors Group

The group seeks to provide a collegial and supportive space for editors to engage in frank discussions about their concerns. For this reason registration for the discussion list and attendance at any face-to-face meetings is generally restricted to editors. Although the group has focused on journal editing, editors of other kinds of LIS publications are also welcome to participate.

The LIS editors group advances its work by a discussion list, a Web site (http://www.lis-editors.org), and periodic face-to-face meetings. In addition, the group is drafting a statement of ethics and best practices for LIS journal editors.

The group has been editor-organized and editor-led from its first meeting, but has received support from the Association of Research Libraries and the Association of College and Research Libraries. The associations have provided staff support, technical services, and refreshments.

To receive notices about meetings and participate in discussion with other LIS editors, please email Julia Blixrud (liseditor@arl.org) and introduce yourself, mentioning the journal you edit.

Endorsers of the Statements and Best Practices

On Friday, July 10, 2009, in Chicago, IL the LIS Editors Group met to finalize the statements. Individual editors are now invited to publicly endorse the statements. A list of endorsers is maintained at http://www.lis-editors.org/best-practices/endorsers.shtml. Please email Julia Blixrud (liseditor@arl.org) if you would like to publicly endorse these statements.

Table of Contents

Background and Introduction

Ethics Statements for Editors, Authors, and Reviewers of LIS Journals

Section 1: Expectations of Editors in Executing Their Editorial Functions

Section 2: Expectations of Authors in Their Participation in Editorial Processes

Section 3: Expectations of Referees in Executing Their Review Functions

Statement of Best Practices for Editors of LIS Journals

Section 4: Electronic Formats

Section 5: Authors' Rights Practices

Section 6: Preservation

Section 7: Standards and Standards Organizations of Interest to Editors

Acknowledgments

This document reflects the work of many individuals and the particular support of two organizations, the Association of Research Libraries and the Association of College and Research Libraries. An early draft of the document was improved by comments and discussion occurring at the meeting the LIS Editors Group, held at the ALA Midwinter Meeting in January 2009. The editorial committee would especially like to thank participants in that meeting: Faye Chadwell, Julia Gelfand, Peter Hernon, Sarah Pritchard, Sandra Roe, Scott Seaman, and Diane Zabel. A final draft of the document was adjusted to reflect discussions held at the meeting of the LIS Editors Group held at the ALA Annual Conference in July 2009 and attended by: Faye Chadwell, Julia Gelfand, Peter Hernon, Sarah Pritchard, Sandra Roe, Scott Seaman, and Diane Zabel.