World Libraries Editorial — Susan Roman
It is fitting and especially exciting that this issue of World Libraries celebrates history, even as it looks to the future. It’s a time of transition in its editorship. It’s also a time when we can celebrate the Follett Chairs, one of the finest endeavors in the Dominican University Graduate School of Library and Information program. And, it’s a time to give thanks.
Under the editorship of Marjorie Bloss, World Libraries made the transition from print to a totally online, peer–reviewed journal. She, along with a wonderful Advisory Board and Editorial Advisory Committee, determined that to reach the greatest number of readers and potential authors, and to keep the journal timely, a conversion to an online format was the route to go. New, internationally–minded members joined the Advisory Board, and they agreed to not only review articles, but to help identify authors from around the world. Marjorie Bloss continued to be the editor until her retirement as full–time faculty in summer 2011. We cannot thank Marjorie enough for her constancy, her commitment, and her stamina as she led the journal through a most interesting transition period.
We also thank her managing editor, Alex Bloss, and the stellar Editorial Advisory Committee and Advisory Board members for their commitment to keeping us on course. Additionally, we thank Edward Valauskas, GSLIS faculty member and a former Follett Chair. In his hands–on Internet Publishing course, his students carry out the practicalities of online publishing — including converting past issues of World Libraries to a digital format and adding them to the journal’s open access online archive.
And now we welcome Christopher Stewart, our new editor, along with his managing editor, Melanie Wilson. Christopher’s experience includes having recently served as a column editor for a leading journal in academic librarianship. As an educator, Christopher stresses the importance of open access, peer–reviewed journals as an increasingly vital link in connecting and informing the profession in a rapidly changing world. His vision and leadership will also advance one of our academic priorities — Global Awareness — using World Libraries as the springboard. Melanie is a recent graduate of the GSLIS program and has extensive experience in document management and production. We also welcome old and new members of the Advisory Board; and old and new members of the Editorial Advisory Committee. We look forward to their ideas as they help guide the journal into the future.
Having Christopher’s first issue devoted to the Follett Chairs and their subsequent lectures was the inspiration of the Editorial Advisory Committee. The lectures have not been made widely available before now. It is noted that the themes of the Follett Chair lectures have implications world–wide, as you will quickly see as you read them.
And now we thank the Follett Corporation for its wisdom in making its mark in the library and information field by joining Dominican University. In establishing the Follett Chair, they have enabled our faculty to be enhanced with nationally recognized individuals so that our students have the opportunity to study under these individuals. Our President, Donna M. Carroll, and Follett CEO, Chuck Follett, continue to have close ties, thinking of ways to work together to enhance the GSLIS program, with the ultimate educational goal of making a positive difference in the lives of individuals. Thank you Marjorie Bloss, Martin Dillon, Edward Valauskas, Steven Herb, and Ken Haycock for your contributions to the profession and the journal. And, once again, we thank the members of the Editorial Advisory Committee and Advisory Board for your support and guidance.
Hearty congratulations to our new editor, Christopher Stewart, as he publishes his inaugural issue of World Libraries!
About the author
Susan Roman is Dean of the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois, USA.
E–mail: sroman [at] dom [dot] edu
© 2012 Susan Roman.