November 1st, 2011
West Lafayette, IN – Publishing services provided by libraries are expanding and professionalizing, suggests a new report released by SPARC, the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition, on behalf of a team of researchers from the libraries of Purdue University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and the University of Utah. The report is the result of a year-long study of library publishing services made possible by a collaborative planning grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), with additional support from Berkeley Electronic Press and Microsoft Research. It is available at http://wp.sparc.arl.org/lps/
The research included a survey distributed to deans and directors at all 223 institutions that are part of the Association of Research Libraries, the Oberlin Group, and University Libraries Group, supervised by consultant October Ivins; three detailed sustainability case studies of library publishing programs at Purdue, Georgia Tech, and Utah by consultant Raym Crow; three consultative workshops involving over 120 leaders in the library publishing community; and a literature review. Together, these sources paint a picture of the state of library publishing services in the US and Canada that is unique in breadth and depth of coverage.
Key findings of the project include:
The report includes a series of recommendations for future development of library publishing services based on the survey, workshops, case studies, and literature review. These are centered around developing best practices, collaborating to create community-based resources, and formalizing skills and training.
The report is open for comment through the end of the year. A final version will be issued in early 2012.
About the Project: The “Library Publishing Services: Strategies for Success” research project was conducted between October 1, 2010, and September 30, 2011 with support from a Collaborative Planning Grant in the National Leadership Program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The PI is James L. Mullins, Dean of Libraries at Purdue University, and the co-PIs are Catherine Murray-Rust, Dean of Libraries, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Joyce Ogburn, Dean of the J. Willard Marriott Library and University Librarian, University of Utah.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (http://www.imls.gov) is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute’s mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the report do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Source: Charles Watkinson, Director, Purdue University Press, a unit of Purdue Libraries, 765-494-8251 or cwatkinson@purdue.edu
Mamie Bittner, IMLS, 202-653-4630 or mbittner@imls.gov
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