Month: June 2011

Current News: Twitter Updates for 6/30/11

| Digital Scholarship Publications Overview |

Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media Launches PressForward

The Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media has launched PressForward.

Here's an excerpt from the announcement by Dan Cohen:

What if we could combine the best of the scholarly review process with the best of open-web filters? What if we had a scholarly communication system that was digital first?

Today we're announcing a new initiative to do just that: PressForward, generously supported by a $862,000 grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation's Digital Information Technology program.

PressForward will bring together the best scholarship from across the web, producing vital, open publications scholarly communities can gather around. PressForward will:

  • Develop effective methods for collecting, screening, and drawing attention to the best online scholarship, including scholarly blogs, digital projects, and other web genres that don't fit into traditional articles or books, as well as conference papers, white papers, and reports
  • Encourage the proliferation of open access scholarship through active new forms of publication, concentrating the attention of scholarly communities around high-quality, digital-first scholarship
  • Create a new platform that will make it simple for any organization or community of scholars to launch similar publications and give guidance to institutions, scholarly societies, and academic publishers who wish to supplement their current journals with online outlets

We hope you'll join us making this new form of scholarly communication a reality. You may be a researcher in a field that is underserved by traditional outlets, because it is new, interdisciplinary, or involves non-textual media. Perhaps you have a digital project that can only be "published" if you describe it in an article. You may be an editor of a journal who would like to supplement standard articles with digital content from across the web, or a scholarly society that wants to find and feature online work. As PressForward evolves, we hope to serve all of these constituencies, as well as a broad audience currently locked out of gated scholarship.

| Digital Curation and Preservation Bibliography 2010 | Electronic Theses and Dissertations Bibliography | Google Books Bibliography | Institutional Repository Bibliography | Transforming Scholarly Publishing through Open Access: A Bibliography | Scholarly Electronic Publishing Bibliography 2010 | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview |

Digital Repository Coordinator, Criss Library at University of Nebraska at Omaha

The University of Nebraska at Omaha is recruiting a Digital Repository Coordinator, Criss Library. Degree: "Bachelors degree in related field." Salary: $45,000-$55,000.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Administrate and maintain Digital Commons @ UNO institutional repository (IR). Administer the IR including promoting/marketing of the open access repository and collaborating with faculty across campus to collect, organize, disseminate, and preserve the scholarly output of UNO faculty, students and staff. Manage daily operation of the Institutional Repository, including negotiating with publishers and other repositories for appropriate authorization to include materials in the IR. Manage related projects and IR initiatives as appropriate. Collaborates to establish, implement and maintain institutional repository guidelines, including metadata standards and strategies. Establishes, documents and analyzes policies, procedures and workflows. Investigate and implement innovative ways to populate the IR with content. Work with faculty to deposit publications into the IR.

| Digital Scholarship Publications Overview |

E-Reader Ownership Doubles in Six Months

The Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project has released E-Reader Ownership Doubles in Six Months .

Here's an excerpt:

The share of adults in the United States who own an e-book reader doubled to 12% in May, 2011 from 6% in November 2010. E-readers, such as a Kindle or Nook, are portable devices designed to allow readers to download and read books and periodicals. This is the first time since the Pew Internet Project began measuring e-reader use in April 2009 that ownership of this device has reached double digits among U.S. adults.

| Digital Curation and Preservation Bibliography 2010 | Electronic Theses and Dissertations Bibliography | Google Books Bibliography | Institutional Repository Bibliography | Transforming Scholarly Publishing through Open Access: A Bibliography | Scholarly Electronic Publishing Bibliography 2010 | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview |

Scholarly Electronic Publishing Weblog (June 30, 2011)

The latest update of the Scholarly Electronic Publishing Weblog is now available. It provides information about new works related to scholarly electronic publishing, such as books, e-prints, journal articles, magazine articles, technical reports, and white papers.

| Digital Curation and Preservation Bibliography 2010 | Institutional Repository Bibliography | Transforming Scholarly Publishing through Open Access: A Bibliography | Scholarly Electronic Publishing Bibliography 2010 |

University of Bath Adopts Open Access Mandate

The University of Bath has adopted an open access mandate.

Here's an excerpt:

  1. The University of Bath requires researchers to deposit full-text copies of their peer-reviewed journal articles and papers from published conference proceedings (subject to copyright provisions) in the University of Bath research repository, Opus4.
  2. The mandate applies to items published after 1 June 2011. Publications from 2008 onwards should also be added in readiness for the REF.
  3. The full-text of the paper and its details should be uploaded to Opus as close to publication as possible. See the Quick Start Guide for details.
  4. Optional deposit of other research outputs such as book sections, reports, working papers and conference presentations is supported. These items will be identified as peer-reviewed or non-peer-reviewed as appropriate.

| New: Institutional Repository Bibliography, Version 4 | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview |

Digital Repository Resident at University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries

The University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries are recruiting a Digital Repository Resident. Two-year term position. Degree: "Master's degree in Library Science from an American Library Association accredited library and information studies program."

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The University of Massachusetts Amherst seeks candidates for the position of Digital Repository Resident. As the largest public academic research library in Massachusetts, we are a key partner in teaching, learning, and research at UMass Amherst and in the Commonwealth. By combining the latest information technology with excellent public service, the staff builds and maintains a rich information environment, facilitates access to it, and creates a place that functions as a hub of campus and community scholarly activity. This position is under general supervision of the Scholarly Communication Librarian. The Digital Repository Resident Librarian explores, adapts, and implements emerging digital repository technologies in support of library and campus digital collections and publishing initiatives. Develops and manages repository projects, researches and recommends changes and enhancements, and works with other library staff to develop and implement metadata and preservation standards, and facilitates the development of workflows that accommodate new scholarly communication initiatives.

| New: Institutional Repository Bibliography, Version 4 | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview |

Faculty Senate Passes Open Access Resolution at Washington University

The Washington University Faculty Senate has passed an open access resolution.

Here's an excerpt from the minutes:

The Faculty of Washington University in St. Louis is committed to making its scholarship and creative works freely and easily available to the world community. Faculty members are encouraged to seek venues for their works that share this ideal. In particular, when consistent with their professional development, members of the Faculty should endeavor to:

Amend copyright agreements to retain the right to use his or her own work and to deposit such work in a University digital repository or another depository, which is freely accessible to the general public;

Submit a final manuscript of accepted, peer-reviewed publications to one of the University's digital repositories whenever consistent with the copyright agreement; and

Seek publishers for his or her works committed to free and unfettered access (often referred to as open access publishers) whenever consistent with his or her professional goals.

| New: Institutional Repository Bibliography, Version 4 | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview |

Current News: Twitter Updates for 6/19/11

| New: Institutional Repository Bibliography, Version 4 | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview |

Digital Library Architect at Los Alamos National Laboratory Library

The Los Alamos National Laboratory Library is recruiting a Digital Library Architect. Salary: $83,100-$142,500.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The Research Library is seeking an analytical, creative individual interested in scientific research data and digital resources to review & lead implementation of the next generation digital library. The Digital Library Architect (Solutions Architect 3) will be responsible for researching, collaboratively planning and delivering a forward-looking, sustainable infrastructure for the content stewardship and delivery of scientific content by applying community established best practices to cutting-edge technology. The new infrastructure will integrate diverse content repositories of both data and scientific literature to create a cohesive and extensible suite of access, discovery, preservation, curation, security, repository, archival & storage services to underpin LANL's unique collections of scientific and technical information.

| New: Institutional Repository Bibliography, Version 4 | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview |

UC Libraries Academic e-Book Usage Survey

The California Digital Library has released the UC Libraries Academic e-Book Usage Survey.

Here's an excerpt:

In 2008, the University of California Libraries initiated the Springer e-Book Pilot Project with the goal of developing appropriate systemwide processes for acquiring and managing licensed e-books, as well as informing future licensing activities. Evaluation of the UC academic community’s experience utilizing the Springer e-book collection began in 2010, and a UC systemwide survey was launched by the UC Libraries in October 2010 for the purpose of assessing the user experience. The primary objectives of the survey were to determine:

  • Respondents' general preference for print books as compared to e-books.
  • How respondents interact with e-books and barriers to e-book adoption and use.
  • How users of Springer e-books discover their availability.
  • Satisfaction level with Springer content and features, including the "MyCopy" service.

| New: Institutional Repository Bibliography, Version 4 | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview |

Associate Director for Digital Initiatives at McGill University Library

The McGill University Library is recruiting an Associate Director for Digital Initiatives. Degree: "A graduate degree in a related field, e.g. computer science, information science, information technology management, library science."

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Provides leadership and coordinates digital library initiatives and programs for all libraries. Works collaboratively with university faculty and administration to develop and advance digital initiative programs including web-based services, information technologies, and programs supporting the integration of digital collections and digital library services. Directs the work of librarians, programmers and staff with expertise in development of digital services for public services, cataloging, multimedia, information technology, web development and learning technologies. Provides support and resources for digital library initiatives emerging from other departments in the library. Supervises the digital initiatives staff. Works with University, provincial and national groups to shape the University Library information environment. Develops goals and objectives, prepares budget requests and participates actively in library-wide planning processes.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications |

Research on Digital Preservation within Projects Co-Funded by the European Union in the ICT Programme

The European Commission has released Research on Digital Preservation within Projects Co-Funded by the European Union in the ICT Programme.

Here's an excerpt:

This report gives an overview about research on digital preservation throughout projects sponsored by the European Commission as part of the sixth and seventh framework programmes for research and technological development. It summarises the objectives, developments, similarities and differences as well as accomplishments and results of these projects. The report also considers research agendas in the field of digital preservation and identifies challenges for the future.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Digital Curation and Preservation Bibliography 2010 |

Current News: Twitter Updates for 6/16/11

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications |

Coordinator, Digital Exhibits and Projects (University Library) at Vanderbilt University’s Jean and Alexander Heard Library

Vanderbilt University’s Jean and Alexander Heard Library is recruiting a Coordinator, Digital Exhibits and Projects (University Library). Degree: "Bachelor's degree."

Here's an excerpt from the ad (position #: 00128219 ):

This position in Library Information Technology Services will help assemble and lead a small team to support a variety of digitization activities in the library. These include the creation and maintenance of digital exhibits located throughout the library system, technical support for related web application development (e.g., new online digital collections and web exhibits), and digitization of original materials. She/he will coordinate these efforts with others in the library system and, on occasion, with faculty and/or students involved in digital projects.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications |

Social Networking Sites and Our Lives

The Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project has released Social Networking Sites and Our Lives.

Here's an excerpt:

Questions have been raised about the social impact of widespread use of social networking sites (SNS) like Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, and Twitter. Do these technologies isolate people and truncate their relationships? Or are there benefits associated with being connected to others in this way? The Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project decided to examine SNS in a survey that explored people’s overall social networks and how use of these technologies is related to trust, tolerance, social support, and community and political engagement.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Scholarly Electronic Publishing Bibliography 2010 |

Institutional Repository Bibliography, Version 4

Version four of the Institutional Repository Bibliography is now available from Digital Scholarship. This selective bibliography presents over 500 articles, books, technical reports, and other scholarly textual sources that are useful in understanding institutional repositories (see the scope note for details). All included works are in English. It is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.

The bibliography has the following sections (all sections have been updated except "3 Multiple-Institution Repositories"):

1 General
2 Country and Regional Surveys
3 Multiple-Institution Repositories
4 Specific Institutional Repositories
5 Digital Preservation
6 Library Issues
7 Metadata
8 Institutional Open Access Mandates and Policies
9 R&D Projects
10 Research Studies
11 Software
12 Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Appendix A. Related Bibliographies
Appendix B. About the Author

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications |

Programmer/Analyst I at Texas Tech University Libraries

The Texas Tech University Libraries are recruiting a Programmer/Analyst I. Degree: "Bachelor’s degree with coursework in computer science or other job related area; OR a combination of education and/or full-time paid related experience to equal four (4) years."

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

  • This position will develop original software for the TTU Libraries in a team environment, and it will also provide upgrades and maintenance to existing software systems according to a lifecycle plan.
  • The position will work with the Web Site Support Team (WSST), a Library-wide committee responsible for all TTU Libraries website content and will ensure that new projects are added to the website in a timely manner.
  • Assist the Library in its obligations to Texas Digital Libraries (TDL)to include a dedicated programmer.
  • Responsible for programming library software projects.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications |

Journal Article Mining: A Research Study into Practices, Policies, Plans. . . and Promises

The Publishing Research Consortium has released Journal Article Mining: A Research Study into Practices, Policies, Plans. . . and Promises.

Here's an excerpt:

This study, carried out between February and May 2011, aims to provide an overview of current practices, players, policies, plans and expectations for text mining and data mining of content in academic journals. The research consisted of a series of 29 interviews with experts and people working on content mining and was concluded by a survey among scholarly publishers.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Scholarly Electronic Publishing Bibliography 2010 |

Metadata Librarian at University of Virginia Library

The University of Virginia Library is recruiting a Metadata Librarian. Degree: "Masters Degree in Library/Information Science or other Masters Degree."

Here's an excerpt from the ad (posting number: 0607806):

We are seeking an individual who can provide metadata expertise and serve as the primary resource on non-MARC metadata design, structure and standards for the Library, as well as the larger university community. The incumbent will establish, document and maintain metadata policies, as appropriate; coordinate the translation of metadata between formats and participates in the integration of metadata from a variety of sources for search and display. This individual will also collaborate in the design and implementation of projects, workflows, and training involving non-MARC metadata, and create, edit, and manipulate metadata for resource description in the digital repository, library catalog, and other resources.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications |

"Response of the Library of Congress, the National Agricultural Library, and the National Library of Medicine to the RDA Test Coordinating Committee"

The Library of Congress has released "Response of the Library of Congress, the National Agricultural Library, and the National Library of Medicine to the RDA Test Coordinating Committee."

Here's an excerpt from the announcement:

The Library of Congress, the National Agricultural Library, and the National Library of Medicine are pleased to issue a statement from the Executives of the three libraries regarding the Report and Recommendations of the U.S. RDA Test Coordinating Committee on the implementation of RDA—Resource Description & Access. This statement and the Executive Summary of the Committee's Report and Recommendations are being issued to allow interested parties sufficient time to review prior to the upcoming Annual Conference of the American Library Association in New Orleans, June 23 -28.

Read more about it at "Report and Recommendations of the U.S. RDA Test Coordinating Committee: Executive Summary."

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Electronic Theses and Dissertations Bibliography |

Web Support Librarian at the Catholic University of America Libraries

The Catholic University of America Libraries are recruiting a Web Support Librarian. Degree: "Master's Degree–American Library Association Accredited MLS, MSIS or recognized equivalent."

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The Libraries of The Catholic University of America support and enrich the instructional, research, and service programs of the University. Electronic Resources and Services (ERS) is responsible for providing the technology and resources necessary for quality instruction and research, acquisition of electronic resources, organizing and maintaining the access to the electronic resources, creating and managing the local digital resources, and developing and overseeing the libraries public and staff Web sites. Reporting to the Electronic Services Librarian, the Web Support Librarian supports the development, maintenance and operations of electronic library services which includes: managing the libraries public and staff Web sites and developing electronic resources for the library system.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications |

"The Development of Open Access Journal Publishing from 1993 to 2009"

Mikael Laakso, Patrik Welling, Helena Bukvova, Linus Nyman, Bo-Christer Björk, and Turid Hedlund have published "The Development of Open Access Journal Publishing from 1993 to 2009" in PLoS ONE.

Here's an excerpt:

Open Access (OA) is a model for publishing scholarly peer reviewed journals, made possible by the Internet. The full text of OA journals and articles can be freely read, as the publishing is funded through means other than subscriptions. Empirical research concerning the quantitative development of OA publishing has so far consisted of scattered individual studies providing brief snapshots, using varying methods and data sources. This study adopts a systematic method for studying the development of OA journals from their beginnings in the early 1990s until 2009. Because no comprehensive index of OA articles exists, systematic manual data collection from journal web sites was conducted based on journal-level data extracted from the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). Due to the high number of journals registered in the DOAJ, almost 5000 at the time of the study, stratified random sampling was used. A separate sample of verified early pioneer OA journals was also studied. The results show a very rapid growth of OA publishing during the period 1993–2009. During the last year an estimated 191 000 articles were published in 4769 journals. Since the year 2000, the average annual growth rate has been 18% for the number of journals and 30% for the number of articles. This can be contrasted to the reported 3,5% yearly volume increase in journal publishing in general. In 2009 the share of articles in OA journals, of all peer reviewed journal articles, reached 7,7%. Overall, the results document a rapid growth in OA journal publishing over the last fifteen years. Based on the sampling results and qualitative data a division into three distinct periods is suggested: The Pioneering years (1993–1999), the Innovation years (2000–2004), and the Consolidation years (2005–2009).

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Transforming Scholarly Publishing through Open Access: A Bibliography |

Current News: Twitter Updates for 6/14/11

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications |