Category Archives: oa.libraries

October OpenCon Library Community Call

Posted on by
Reply

“Subscribe to Open (S2O) is an increasingly popular approach for transitioning journals from subscription to open access—without article processing charges (APCs). Under the model, a publisher commits to opening a journal’s current content contingent on the journal’s annual revenue target being met. To better scale S2O, it is possible to link S2O offers in ways that benefit both subscribing institutions (and their authors) as well as publishers. On October 10th at 12pm ET / 9am PT, the next OpenCon Library Community Call will feature Raym Crow, who developed S2O, to discuss how the model can scale to support the transition of more journals to open access.”

 

Event: Support community led open access publishing: Help shape the future of scholarly communications. Oct 26, 2023 from 2pm (BST) | Jisc

Posted on by
Reply

Libraries are an important part of the open access publishing landscape. To achieve the open access future we’d like to see, we need to be acting now.

International Open Access Week is an opportunity for the global research community to learn about and share the benefits of Open Access, and to inspire wider participation in helping to make Open Access a new norm in scholarship and research.

This year’s theme is ‘Community over Commercialisation’ and with this in mind, Jisc and the Open Institutional Publishing Association have joined forces to discuss how libraries can come together as a community and support open access publishing initiatives.

Jisc set up the Open Access Community Framework (OACF) in response to community calls to make it simpler for libraries to support open access publishing – and other similar schemes are beginning to emerge too.

In this webinar, we will ask ‘what’s stopping us?’ and we will consider the levers that are at our disposal, as a strong and active community, including library and publisher perspectives.

 

 

Comments of the Library Copyright Alliance on the Proposed Rulemaking Concerning Access to Electronic Works

Posted on by
Reply

“LCA supports adoption of the rule proposed by the Copyright Office. Under the current regulatory framework, 37 CFR § 202.18, the Library of Congress may provide limited on-site access to groups of newspapers electronically submitted for registration, as well as electronic serials and books submitted for mandatory deposit.1 The proposed rule would expand the categories of electronic deposits covered by the regulation with the same limitations on access as are currently in place.

As part of its Digital Collections Strategy, the Library is shifting towards an “e-preferred” approach across all its acquisition streams, including deposits received from the Office. In conjunction with the Library’s Digital Collections Strategy, the Office is encouraging the submission of works in electronic form. As more of these deposits are made in electronic formats, more of the Library’s collections are digital. Unless the existing on-site access rules are expanded to new categories of deposits, over time the public would have increasingly less access to works in the Library’s collections….

Because the proposed rule would benefit the public without harming copyright owners, LCA supports its adoption.”

IPLC Launches the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement of Iran Web Archive – Ivy Plus Libraries

Posted on by
Reply

“The Ivy Plus Libraries Confederation is pleased to announce the launch of the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement of Iran web archive, curated by librarians at the IPLC. This web archive preserves material on, about, and from the Woman, Life, Freedom movement of Iran, which emerged in the wake of the 2022 police killing of Mahsa Jîna Amini. Her arrest by the morality police, on alleged grounds of non-compliance with the compulsory Hijab Law, ignited a series of protests that began in Kurdistan, spread across all levels of Iranian society, and reached other marginalized regions like Sistan-Baluchistan. This movement garnered international solidarity, with the Iranian diaspora and global activists demanding accountability from the Iranian government. Despite the government’s attempts to violently suppress dissent, the movement persists into 2023. This archive curates a collection of videos, photographs, art, music, petitions, statements, and diverse forms of expression that have emerged from this movement, showcasing both government crackdowns and the resilience and determination of the Iranian people in their pursuit of meaningful change….

The Ivy Plus Libraries Confederation’s Web Collecting Program is a collaborative collection development effort to build curated, thematic collections of freely available, but at-risk, web content in order to support research….”

MIT Libraries receives grant from National Science Foundation to explore open science evaluations with ICOR | News

Posted on by
Reply

“MIT Libraries has received an Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) grant of $300,000 from the National Science Foundation to explore a transformative model for evaluating open science policies, practices, and interventions. The project is a collaboration between the Libraries’ Center for Research on Equitable and Open Scholarship (CREOS), a hub for rigorous research to inform the development of a more equitable and open system of scholarly communications, and Incentivizing Collaborative and Open Research (ICOR)….

The EAGER project aims to advance a research model that would enable more systematic understanding of open science by embedding experiments and measurements into existing open science systems and activities. CREOS and ICOR will inventory opportunities for embedded interventions, conduct a listening tour with diverse stakeholders, develop a strategy for a proposed fellowship program, and create guidance for standardized reporting on studies of equitable open scholarship….”

Promoting Open Access in Research-Performing Organizations: Spheres of Activity, Challenges, and Future Action Areas

Posted on by
Reply

Abstract:  Open access (OA) has become a critical issue in science policy and affects a wide range of activities in universities and research labs. Research-performing organizations (RPOs), defined as publicly funded universities and research institutions, face significant challenges in shaping the OA transformation. This article examines the spheres of activity available to RPOs for shaping the OA transformation, using a categorization of 22 spheres of activity related to OA. These spheres of activity include strategy and communication, services and infrastructures, business relationships with publishers, and collaborations. Current challenges and future action areas in promoting OA are also described, providing support for RPOs in handling OA and highlighting key issues. The categorization can serve as a tool for systematically assessing OA activities at RPOs and shows that OA is a cross-cutting issue in these organizations. Collaboration on OA activities, both within and beyond organizations, presents a challenge. To effectively promote OA, it is crucial to strengthen the interaction between funding agencies and RPOs. Libraries are critical stakeholders, playing a vital role in advancing OA at the local, national, and international levels in partnership with RPO management and other partners in faculty, administration, and information technology.

 

Collaborating to support the use and development of open educational resources: a White Rose Libraries research project – Insights

Posted on by
Reply

Abstract:  Interest in open educational resources (OER) has grown recently due to many external factors, including the restrictive, unsustainable and expensive business models for teaching materials that are being used by some publishers. In February 2021, the libraries of the UK White Rose University Consortium (White Rose Libraries) initiated a research project to explore the potential of OER and to create guidance in the form of an OER toolkit that could be used across all three institutions, and more widely. The project also aimed to seek improvements in the discovery of OER in the Ex Libris Primo discovery service which is used by all three libraries. This article outlines the methodology used to ascertain the needs of the libraries’ user groups to inform the development of the toolkit. A survey of academic staff across all three institutions was conducted, followed by user experience interviews. The survey findings established that more than half of respondents knew little or nothing about OER, and over half also said that they would be likely or extremely likely to consider using or adapting OER, clearly demonstrating the need for more awareness raising and guidance. The survey interview findings were then used to develop and refine the toolkit.

Thesen zur Zukunft des wissenschaftsgeleiteten Open-Access-Publizierens · Community

Posted on by
Reply

From Google’s English:  “These theses were developed by the members of the program committee in advance of the conference. They can be discussed in advance and form a topic of discussion at the conference. The aim is to further develop the theses at the conference with the participants. Following the conference, these theses will be published in a revised form.

Thesis 1: Overcome the strategic void

Science-led publication infrastructures require support through an overarching, large-scale strategy. Only a high-profile initiative can guarantee science policy support and the necessary funding commitments and thus strengthen digital sovereignty in science.

Thesis 2: Take diversity of financing and business models into account

Science-led publication infrastructures require different financing and business models depending on the community in order to meet the needs of the respective communities. 

Thesis 3: Strengthen libraries as publication service providers

Science-led publication infrastructures require professional operation. Libraries are predestined to take an active role as publication service providers for science. Publication infrastructures in libraries should be systematically expanded.

Thesis 4: Ensure quality, apply standards 

Science-led publication infrastructures are required to ensure the quality of the content of publications through quality assurance procedures recognized in the respective subject in the spirit of good scientific practice. Assuring formal and technical quality should be implemented by applying open publishing standards for publications and processes.

Thesis 5: Strengthen collaboration with specialist communities

Science-led publication infrastructures need to be firmly anchored in scientific communities and their organizational structures. The cooperation must be participatory. Libraries are required to interact significantly more with specialist communities and to proactively design services for science.

Thesis 6: Promote experiments and innovations

Science-led publication infrastructures have the potential to innovatively design scientific publishing as a field of experimentation. The open-ended testing of new publication formats and the further development of processes, standards and collaborations must be encouraged. 

Thesis 7: Ensure sustainability

Science-led publication infrastructures require sustainable financing and business models. In addition to clear organizational integration, the publication infrastructures require a precisely defined mission statement and the commitment of the supporting organization.

Thesis 8: Orient infrastructures towards the common good 

Science-led publication infrastructures should act with a focus on the common good and design their activities on the basis of the principles and values ??of the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science. 

Thesis 9: Enter into new collaborations

Science-led publication infrastructures under academic sponsorship should pursue new cooperation models and act across institutional boundaries so that their visibility and that of their publications increase. Cooperations with external service providers can also make sense if governance is ensured in the spirit of science.

Thesis 10: Implement open science as a paradigm

Science-led publication infrastructures should enable the publishing of texts, data, software and other materials and support their recognition in research evaluation. To this end, they must, wherever possible, be documented openly, machine-readable in accordance with the FAIR principles and made available sustainably….”

Collaborating for Access: Libraries and Indie Publishers

Posted on by
Reply

“What do librarians REALLY want from publishers, and how can smaller and independent publishers create a better ecosystem? In our sixth Collaborating for Access webinar, COSLA, DPLA, and ReadersFirst are partnering with the Independent Publisher Caucus,  to bring together librarians and smaller and independent publishers to explore how they can work together to provide greater access for patrons. Topics will include: Opportunities for independent publishers in the library market; licensing options that are most attractive to libraries; and ways that libraries and independent publishers can work together to mutual benefit.”

USC Press and University Libraries launch open-access publishing platform – Office of the Provost | University of South Carolina

Posted on by
Reply

“The University of South Carolina Press and University Libraries are embarking on a new collaborative venture: Open Carolina, an open-access publishing platform….

That’s where University Libraries enters the picture. Many ventures into open scholarly resources are planned as temporary pilot operations because they are funded by time-limited grant pools. Thanks to consistent funding from the Libraries, Open Carolina has a sustainable model that will allow scholars with limited publishing funds to share their research via the platform, partially or totally foregoing associated fees. In its inaugural year, the Libraries aim to fund four full-length books and support is in place to make the program sustainable for years to come and allow Open Carolina to grow steadily.

 

Open Carolina will offer opportunities to a wide range of scholars and researchers regardless of university affiliation. Proposed works will undergo the same intensive peer review and editorial processes as traditionally published books and articles, allowing the university to maintain high standards and join the conversation with other Research 1 institutions that prioritize equitable, open access publishing….”

Internet Archive Files Appeal in Publishers’ Lawsuit Against Libraries | Internet Archive Blogs

Posted on by
Reply

“Today, the Internet Archive has submitted its appeal [PDF] in Hachette v. Internet Archive. As we stated when the decision was handed down in March, we believe the lower court made errors in facts and law, so we are fighting on in the face of great challenges. We know this won’t be easy, but it’s a necessary fight if we want library collections to survive in the digital age.

Statement from Brewster Kahle, founder and digital librarian of the Internet Archive:
“Libraries are under attack like never before. The core values and library functions of preservation and access, equal opportunity, and universal education are being threatened by book bans, budget cuts, onerous licensing schemes, and now by this harmful lawsuit. We are counting on the appellate judges to support libraries and our longstanding and widespread library practices in the digital age. Now is the time to stand up for libraries.”

We will share more information about the appeal as it progresses….”

Hurford | Building Relationships With the Library Publishing Coalition Peer Mentorship Program | Journal of Librarianship and Scholarly Communication

Posted on by
Reply

Abstract:  Introduction: In 2018, the Library Publishing Coalition (LPC) Professional Development Committee (PDC) created the Peer Mentorship Program as a way for library publishing practitioners to build professional relationships within the LPC community and support the development of professionals in the library publishing field. This program was created to help fill the gap in library publishing mentorship resources, in both programs and published literature. 

Description of Program: The LPC Mentorship Program was created in 2018 as a traditional mentor/mentee mentorship relationship, but it has undergone iterations each year since, resulting in the current Peer Mentorship Program. Additionally, more structure and support for mentorship pairs have been developed and made available each year, thanks to helpful feedback from mid-year and end-of-year participant survey responses. 

Next Steps: This article identifies ways in which further outreach should be conducted to diversify and expand participants of the Peer Mentorship Program, and also to help support the work needed to sustain a program like this. Finally, suggestions are made for further research and literature to be made available to support the growing need for mentorship in the library publishing field.

Open Educational Resources for Public Libraries, 10/3 at 1PM Eastern

Posted on by
Reply

“Open educational resources (OER) have gained traction at colleges, universities, and K-12 schools. But with an emphasis on textbook prices and affordability, OER’s primary talking points have missed the mark with public libraries. Still, there are ample opportunities for open education to find a home in public libraries, from programming and digital literacy to makerspace repositories and more!

 

Join us for an informal conversation with Alex Houff (Digital Equity and Virtual Services Manager at Baltimore County Public Library) and Alex Sharp (Director of Library and Information Services at Tennessee Wesleyan University). This learning circle will be facilitated by Michelle Reed, Library Futures’ Research Manager and former Director of Open Educational Resources at the University of Texas at Arlington Libraries.

 

The event will be held over Zoom at 1 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, October 3. To ensure effective community discussion, the circle will be capped at 30 participants. It will not be recorded.”

Protecting library rights: Considerations for Congress | Klosek | College & Research Libraries News

Posted on by
Reply

“There is a strong argument for federal law to preserve library rights in the face of browse-wrap licenses or end-user license agreements; in such situations, libraries do not have an opportunity to pursue alternative ways to achieve their functions. Such a law would provide certainty that libraries may engage in lawful activities with works that vendors make available on the marketplace, including works that are licensed for personal consumer use. The Copyright Office has argued that preservation in particular is an important public policy objective, and that nonnegotiable licenses should not be permitted to supersede the Section 108 exceptions, particularly the preservation and replacement provisions. Congress may wish to review language recommended by the US Copyright Office stating that libraries, archives, and museums will not be liable for copyright infringement if they make preservation or security copies of works covered by nonnegotiable contract language prohibiting such activities.9 The Copyright Office proposal, however, would not protect libraries against breach-of-contract actions….”

A study on copyright issues of different controlled digital lending (CDL) modes – Ying Wang, Tomas A. Lipinski, 2023

Posted on by
Reply

Abstract:  In the recent years, CDL has been heatedly talked about, CDL should be treated objectively and rationally. Getting knowledge of CDL modes and their copyright issues is critical for sustainable development of CDL. Rather than CDL becomes a transient phenomenon as a result of many copyright hurdles. The paper will explore CDL modes by combing CDL practices and programs from research papers and official website documents of different library organizations. Then, based on legal frameworks of CDL in the US, Canada and the UK which are summarized, copyright issues of CDL modes are analyzed from perspectives of implementing institution, service resources, and usage mode. Finally, some copyright recommendations for sustainable development of CDL are proposed. We believe that library institutions can use CDL to advance their crucial mission for the public’s interest through making sense of different CDL modes and their copyright issues and implementing some proposals about copyright processing.