BC Libraries entered the publishing sphere a couple of years ago when it began to co-publish open access refereed e-journals. The Libraries now co-publish four journals: Cities and the Environment (CATE); Journal of Technology, Learning, and Assessment; Studies in Christian-Jewish Relations; TEACHING Exceptional Children / TEACHING Exceptional Children Plus. All are accessible from eScholarship@BC.
The study verified that research libraries are rapidly developing publishing services. By late 2007, 44% of the 80 responding ARL member libraries reported they were delivering publishing services and another 21% were in the process of planning publishing service development. Only 36% of responding institutions were not active in this arena.
Key findings of the study include:
- Publishing services are rapidly becoming a norm for research libraries, particularly journal publishing services.
- Service development is being driven by campus demand, largely from authors and editors.
- Libraries are addressing gaps in traditional publishing systems, not replicating traditional publishing.
- Substantial investment in open source applications such as Open Journal Systems, Open Conference Systems, D-Pubs, and DSpace is facilitating service development.
- The numbers of titles research libraries are publishing represent a very thin slice of the scholarly publishing pie; yet, collectively research libraries are beginning to produce a substantial body of content.
- Library publishing services are part of a range of new kinds of services libraries have developed or are developing, such as repository and digitization services.
- Library publication services are developed in ways that are consonant with research library service culture, including close consultation with researchers and frequent use of partnerships.
- The use of various forms of revenue generation is common for publishing services, but core support comes from library resources and in some cases new campus funding.
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