Books are a way of opening the world up for children. As they grow, books allow children to find resonance of their own experiences as well as discover new ones. If readers are a community, then a library is their home, the physical space they can inhabit. For children, the library can be a way of building community, of discovering shared loves and the idea of the commons. The library can become a way for them to understand the need for sharing resources, of equitability – the one who has a hundred books at home and the one who has none are equal members, carrying the same library card as a badge of membership.
In this issue of Torchlight, we seek to explore myriad ideas connected to Children and Libraries. Why are libraries important for children? How should the space of a library be imagined and used for children? Does the idea of sharing resources mean that there should be libraries for things other than books? What are children’s experiences of growing up with libraries and how have they changed across time? What can we understand about childhood through these experiences? What are the challenges of running libraries for children?
Torchlight is looking for your contributions. These can be original commentaries, experiences, and insights. They can be long and short; in the form of text, illustrations, photos, video, audio or any combination of these. Think libraries, think children and share your thoughts with us.
Send us a proposal of 150 words outlining what you would like to write/create. The Torchlight team will respond to this within 2 weeks.
Email us at torchlight@bookwormgoa.in
Please browse through this issue to see the range and form of articles that the journal invites.
We wish this journal to be inclusive, diverse, fair, and responsible in its approach and functioning.
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All articles submitted will go through a review process.
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The decision to accept a contribution will rest with the journal team and will be conveyed to the contributor within a month of receiving it. Editorial changes may be requested.
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Include a brief biographical sketch of no more than 150 words
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If a submission to Torchlight has been already published, you are requested to declare the publication details at the time of submitting the article.
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Copyright remains with the author. If the article is going to be republished elsewhere, we will appreciate that Torchlight is acknowledged for carrying it first.
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We will not be able to pay contributors but hope you will find joy and meaning in being a part of this unique endeavour.