IRRT (International Relations Round Table)

Call for Chapters: The Struggle for Information Access: Global Perspectives 

Co-Editors: Kodjo Atiso, katiso@ku.edu; Jenna Kammer, jkammer@ucmo.edu 

 

Overview:                 

Centering on global issues related to information access, The Struggle for Information Access: Global Perspectives will connect timely topics to the practical work of libraries worldwide.

 

Across the world, librarians are working to reduce barriers to information needed by the people in their communities. Unfortunately, cultural, social, and political forces shape access to information. Ito (2021) explained that there are many ways in which the free flow of information can be restricted, and that government restrictions on opinion or discourse are just one of these ways. The Struggle for Information Access: Global Perspectives is structured around six core themes that address global information access issues that pose challenges (or struggles) for libraries. We invite authors from around the world to unpack problems and solutions to information access and its various forms. 

 

Contributions are sought around the following themes:

1. Digital inequality (such as poor infrastructure in libraries, or library communities, digital literacy, digital accessibility, need for translation)

2. Commodification of knowledge (such as the issue of the Open Access Movement, paywalls, predatory journals, copyright, the high cost of academic information)

3. Global trade and protectionism (such as tariffs, working with international vendors, customs slow down, interruption in shipping routes, access to vendors, high costs of library materials) 

4. Government censorship and information control (such as book bans, social media monitoring, censorship by exclusion, defunding libraries, legislation that impacts librarianship) 

5. The globalization and liberalization of education (such as international or cross-border OER practices, the rise of digital platforms and distance learning, educational resource disparities, challenges to intellectual freedom and equity in the academy, the high cost of higher education) 

6. Technological control and innovation (such as the growth of data aggregators, data policy, algorithmic bias, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on library work and library access to collections, expanded access, virtual services, improved user experience)

 

Practical application of these issues in libraries is a key focus of this edited book, which seeks to bridge the gap between theory and practice. For example, libraries often address these problems by teaching critical digital literacy, championing open access, providing free public access to the internet and computers, sharing work in open repositories, protecting patron privacy, defending intellectual freedom, and providing safe public spaces. 

 

With an international scope, The Struggle for Information Access: Global Perspectives is a book for librarians, information professionals, policymakers, scholars, and students in the information professions, and other stakeholders who believe that access to information is a human right. The editors hope that this published volume will also bring awareness of these issues to a wider audience.

 

This book will be published by Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited (Green OA policy). At this time, we are seeking 400-500-word abstracts from interested contributors. Selected chapters are 4,000-5,000 words and include the following format:

• Cultural or regional context (who is affected)

• Impact on information access

• Case study/authentic example

• Examples of solutions/responses to the problem

• Ongoing tensions/limitations

• Call to action (practical strategies or suggestions)

 

Submission Guidelines:

• Abstracts: Interested contributors should submit an abstract of 400-500 words, along with a chapter title and 3-5 keywords. Also include a bio of ~100 words. 

• Submission Process: Submit your abstract as a Word document to Jenna Kammer, jkammer@ucmo.edu, by Monday, December 1, 2025. Authors of selected abstracts will be notified by Monday, December 15, 2025. 

 

Timeline: 

• Abstract Submission Deadline: December 1, 2025

• Notification of Acceptance: December 15, 2025

• Chapter Submission to Editors: May 1, 2026

• Revised and final chapters to Editors: July 31, 2026

• Final book due to publisher: September 1, 2026

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Jenna Kammer
Associate Professor
University of Central Missouri
She/Her/Hers
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