New approaches in library-based publishing

Alma SwanDirector, SPARC Europe

Director, Key Perspectives LtdConvenor, Enabling Open Scholarship

COASP, Paris, 17-19 September 2014

Universities as publishers• Not new:

– Cambridge University Press founded in 1584– Oxford University Press formally began publishing

books in 1668• Decline in activity later in the 20th century• Now, a resurgence seems to be happening• Coupled with something new

Why?• Things have changed• Threats ... and opportunities• The Web, and altered expectations from that• The Open Access imperative

– Particularly with respect to the humanities– And the need to consider what to do about long-

form publications• Scholars themselves are taking interest in

dissemination

Humanities• Lots of new developments

– OA journals– OA monographs

• Funder and institutional initiatives– Institutional publishing – Covering costs

• Technical initiatives– e.g hypothes.is

• Publishing initiatives (many scholar-led)

Library-based publishing• Is new ... ish• ‘Librishers or pubrarians’ (John Unsworth,

SSP 2005)• A new – upside-down – role for the library• Seems to match a need for openness• Plenty of potential content• Certainly catching on

And why shouldn’t it work?• Plenty of potential content• Can help address the issues around open

long-form publications (not just accessibility)• Potential for collaborative ventures between

library and press (complementary skills)• Brand advantages to be had• Looking forward to many more members for

OASPA!

Thank you

almaswan3@gmail.com

www.sparceurope.orgwww.openscholarship.org

www.pasteur4oa.eu