Style
Practical Technology for Archives is a peer-reviewed journal with an emphasis on clear and concise writing that delivers useful information. Authors should bear in mind that PTA strives to serve readers at all levels of technical ability, so please write clearly and avoid technical jargon. For citations please follow the Chicago Manual of Style.
Content
PTA welcomes a wide range of content in multiple formats including text, video, or audio. Anything that supports PTA’s mission of sharing practical solutions to technical processing in archives is welcome. While literature reviews and bibliographies are not required, directing the reader to other available resources is encouraged. When applicable, code, code snippets, or links to code in configuration management systems such as Github should be included. PTA will be published twice yearly with two to three full articles, four to five tips/techniques, and two to three multimedia segments.
Submission of Manuscripts
Manuscripts may be submitted in either of two categories: Tips and Techniques or Articles. Submission to Tips and Techniques should be limited to 500 words or less. Articles may be of any length, but 1500-5000 words is the general range.
All manuscripts must be submitted electronically, preferably using Word (doc) or Rich Text Format (rtf). Text, block quotes, and notes should all be double-spaced, with one inch margins all around. All images, figures, or other graphics must be submitted as separate 300 dpi image files in png, gif, tif, or jpg formats. Be sure to include captions in the text to indicate the availability and location of images. Articles must be accompanied by a brief biography of the author(s) and a 100-word abstract.
Manuscripts, along with any image files, author biographies, and other accompanying documents, should be emailed as a zip file to the Managing Editor:
Randall Miles
Managing Editor, Practical Technology for Archives
randalldmiles@gmail.com
Submission of Multimedia Content
Multimedia content may be submitted as AAC audio files or MP4 video files uploaded to vimeo.com (see http://vimeo.com/help/compression for further file specifications). Accepted multimedia content will be accessed in PTA through an embedded vimeo player.
A link to the AV content, along with a brief biography of the author(s) and a 100-word abstract should be emailed to the Managing Editor:
Randall Miles
Managing Editor, Practical Technology for Archives
randalldmiles@gmail.com
Submission of Reviews:
Reviews may be submitted for tools (electronic or otherwise), books, materials or supplies, or software. Submissions should be limited to 500 words or less. Please consult the Chicago Manual of Style for review formatting and citations.
Any connection the reviewer has with the item being reviewed must be clearly stated.
All submissions must be submitted electronically, preferably using MS Word or Rich Text Format (rtf). Text, block quotes, and notes should all be double-spaced, with one inch margins all around. All images, figures, or other graphics must be submitted as separate 300 dpi image files in png, gif, tif, or jpg formats. Be sure to include captions i the text to indicate the availability and location of images.
Submissions, along with any image files, should be emailed as a zip file to the Managing Editor:
Randall Miles
Managing Editor, Practical Technology for Archives
randalldmiles@gmail.com
Submission of Grant Reports:
The purpose of this section is to provide a venue for the publication of technical grant reports as often required by granting institutions. Grant report may be of any length, but 1500-5000 words is the general range.
All reports must be submitted electronically, preferably using MS Word or Rich Text Format (rtf). Text, block quotes, and notes should all be double-spaced, with one inch margins all around. All images, figures, or other graphics must be submitted as separate 300 dpi image files in png, gif, tif, or jpg formats. Be sure to include captions in the text to indicate the availability and location of images. Articles must be accompanied by a brief biography of the author(s) and a 100-word abstract.
Manuscripts, along with any image files, author biographies, and other accompanying documents, should be emailed as a zip file to the Managing Editor:
Randall Miles
Managing Editor, Practical Technology for Archives
randalldmiles@gmail.com
Copyright and Licensing
Content creators retain copyright on their works, but articles published in the journal must be licensed by their creators under a CC license. We also recommend that any code included in an article be licensed under an open source license suitable for code, such as GPL, though this is not a requirement.
Content creators are free to publish their work elsewhere.
Content Review
All content will be sent to two reviewers (without the creator’s name). The reviewers will recommend acceptance, rejection, or revision. Reviews should be completed within three weeks of submission, with creator notification following shortly after. Content accepted on the condition of revision will be assigned to a member of the editorial board, who will work with the author on the revisions with the goal of having the content ready for inclusion in the next issue of PTA.
Practical Technology for Archives 