Developing a Scholarly Communication Program: Establish Structure

While it is tempting to leap right into what seems to be appropriate action, it is important to first step back and consider what the library’s goals are for improving the scholarly communication system, how they sync with campus administration’s goals, who in the library and on campus are best positioned to assist, and what principles should guide this work. Effort up-front to integrate scholarly communication into the core work of the library and achieve broad-based buy-in will pay dividends later.

As you begin your staff engagement program, things will go more smoothly if you take the time to develop a systematic structure for the program. Here are some steps to walk you through the organizing process.

Define broad goals for the library' scholarly communication initiative. To clearly communicate the library priority, incorporate these goals into library/division/department strategic plans.

Example: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Academic Program Goals [DOC] [PDF]

Example: University of California Libraries Systemwide Priorities [PDF]

Charge a team

Develop the team's charge to flesh out how to achieve these broad goals.

Example: Generic Team Charge Template [DOC] [PDF]

Example: University of California, San Francisco Scholarly Communication Task Force Charge [DOC] [PDF]

Example: University of Minnesota Scholarly Communication Collaborative Charge

Example: University of California System Scholarly Communication Officers Group Charge

Identify the coordinator and team to implement this charge, according to established criteria [DOC] [PDF].

Integrate scholarly communication work as standard part of library liaisons' roles and revise position descriptions accordingly (decentralized approach).

Example: Position Description Generic Template [DOC] [PDF]

Example: University of Minnesota Scholarly Communication Position Description [DOC] [PDF]

Consider devoting all or part of a librarian position to the scholarly communication area (centralized approach).

Example: Scholarly Communication Librarian Generic Template [DOC] [PDF]

See also examples of positions descriptions in ARL's SPEC Kit 332, Organization of Scholarly Communication Services (November 2012)

Consistently enforce expectations and recognize achievement.

For more information, go to: Main Page, Build Knowledge, Scan Environment, Go Public, Evaluate Program, Learn More

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