For immediate release:
April 2, 2008
For more information, contact:
Karla Hahn
Association of Research Libraries
202-296-2296
karla@arl.org
Washington DC—The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) has published the results of a study of publishing services provided by ARL member libraries.
To foster a deeper understanding of an emerging research library role as publishing service provider, in late 2007 ARL surveyed its membership about the publishing services they offer. Following the survey, publishing program managers at 10 institutions participated in semi-structured interviews to delve more deeply into several aspects of service development: the sources and motivations for service launch, the range of publishing services, and relationships with partners.
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.
The report, “Research Library Publishing Services: New Options for University Publishing” by Karla L. Hahn, examines each of these findings in depth and provides valuable context for librarians and campus leaders considering the opportunities offered by this rapidly emerging research library role.
Download the report free of charge from the ARL Web site http://www.arl.org/resources/pubs/reports/.
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of 123 research libraries in North America. Its mission is to influence the changing environment of scholarly communication and the public policies that affect research libraries and the diverse communities they serve. ARL pursues this mission by advancing the goals of its member research libraries, providing leadership in public and information policy to the scholarly and higher education communities, fostering the exchange of ideas and expertise, and shaping a future environment that leverages its interests with those of allied organizations. ARL is on the Web at http://www.arl.org/.