Katherine Skinner
Executive Director
Educopia
Tyler Walters
Dean
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Julie Speer
Associate Dean, Research and Informatics
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Martin Halbert
Dean of Libraries
University of North Texas
Spencer Keralis
Director, Digital Scholarship Co-Operative
University of North Texas
This briefing will discuss a recently launched project to create a Library Publishing Coalition (LPC) dedicated to advancing the emerging field of library publishing, defined as the set of activities undertaken by college and university libraries to support the creation and dissemination of scholarly works.
The project is hosted by the Educopia Institute, and has been designed in collaboration with a large number of academic libraries, including Purdue University, the University of North Texas, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Project participants currently number well over 40 institutions, all of which are providing seed support for this initiative at one of two participation levels: Founding and Contributing Institutions.
This briefing will review the initiative and several concrete project deliverables:
• A concentrated study that will document the current range of library publishing activities (including costs, staffing, and how libraries are financing these ventures); refine justification and positioning for library-based publishing activities; align library activities in this area with university needs and goals; and help additional libraries to envision and develop publishing services programs.
• A forum for networking and sharing communications about library publishing services, including an annual event and ongoing virtual training and community-building activities.
• The design and implementation of the LPC.