The latest monthly update of the Scholarly Electronic Publishing Weblog is now available. It provides information about selected new works related to scholarly electronic publishing, such as books, e-prints, journal articles, technical reports, and white papers.
| Scholarly Electronic Publishing Bibliography 2010 | Digital Scholarship |
DigitalKoans posts will resume on 8/12/12.
| Digital Scholarship's Digital/Print Books | Digital Scholarship |
Boston Public Library is recruiting a Web Services Specialist.
Here's an excerpt from the ad (job ID: 343440):
Assists in format, design, and coding of library web sites and services content. Performs basic troubleshooting of web services and assists with maintenance of web applications.
The Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project has released The Future of Big Data.
Here's an excerpt:
Imagine where we might be in 2020. The Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project and Elon University's Imagining the Internet Center asked digital stakeholders to weigh two scenarios for 2020, select the one most likely to evolve, and elaborate on the choice. One sketched out a relatively positive future where Big Data are drawn together in ways that will improve social, political, and economic intelligence. The other expressed the view that Big Data could cause more problems than it solves between now and 2020.
Respondents to our query rendered a decidedly split verdict.
| Digital Curation Bibliography: Preservation and Stewardship of Scholarly Works | Digital Scholarship |
The University of Indianapolis' Krannert Memorial Library is recruiting a Library Technical Systems Coordinator.
Here's an excerpt from the ad:
Initiate, maintain, and support all digital systems for the Krannert Memorial Library. Maintain working relationships with library consortia and participate in decision-making for technology system purchases, changes, and upgrades.
Walt Crawford has published "It Was Never a Universal Library: Three Years of the Google Book Settlement" in Cites & Insights: Crawford at Large.
Here's an excerpt:
Remember the Google Books settlement? It was going to settle a four-year-old pair of lawsuits (four years old then, eight years old now) against Google (by the Association of American Publishers, AAP, and the Authors Guild, AG) asserting that Google was infringing on copyright through its two-line snippets from in-copyright books scanned in the Google Library Project—and by the scanning itself. Later, a third group representing media photographers also sued Google for the same actions. . . .
This is a long set of notes and comments (cites & insights). It strikes me that the topic and complexity deserve that length—but note that I'm offering much briefer excerpts and comments on most items than I normally would in this sort of roundup.
After two sets of general notes and overviews (one before the settlement was rejected, one after) I'm breaking the discussion down by topics rather than chronologically.
Florida International University's College of Law Library is recruiting a Legal Research and Digital Initiatives Law Librarian.
Here's an excerpt from the ad (Job ID: 504480):
Florida International University's College of Law Library is seeking a service-oriented, innovative and proactive librarian to expand services and build digital collections in a young but rapidly growing library. The Legal Research and Digital Initiatives Law Librarian reports to the Associate Dean for Information Resources/Director of the Law Library and provides high-level reference assistance, leadership in issues related to scholarly communication, open access publishing, and resource digitization, and develops and manages web-based resources, including licensing and access issues.
The American Genetic Association has mandated the Joint Data Archiving Policy for the Journal of Heredity. The Joint Data Archiving Policy (JDAP) page lists other journals that mandate data archiving.
| Digital Curation and Preservation Bibliography 2010 | Digital Scholarship |
Purdue University Libraries are recruiting a Digital Preservation and Electronic Records Archivist.
Here's an excerpt from the ad:
Reporting to the University Archivist and Head, Archives and Special Collections Division, the Digital Preservation and Electronic Records Archivist will be responsible for the management, acquisition, appraisal, description, and preservation of born-digital records with historical, evidential, research, or administrative value to the university. Will collaborate with faculty and staff to collect, manage, preserve, and provide access to born digital and digitally reformatted collections. Will participate in the active management and preservation of a wide array of types of digital collections, including but not limited to university electronic records and websites, born digital manuscripts and personal papers, faculty research datasets and scholarly publications.
The Royal Society of Chemistry has launched a £1 million gold open access initiative for British researchers.
Here's an excerpt from the press release:
'Gold for Gold' is an innovative experiment to support the funder led evolution to Gold OA, by recognising institutes that subscribe to RSC Gold, a premium collection of 37 international journals, databases and magazines offering online access to all published material.
UK institutes who are RSC Gold customers will shortly receive credit equal to the subscription paid, to enabling their researchers, who are being asked to publish Open Access but often do not yet have funding to pay for it directly, to make their paper available via Open Science, the RSC's Gold OA option.
| Transforming Scholarly Publishing through Open Access: A Bibliography | Digital Scholarship |
The McMaster University Library is recruiting a Digital Repository Librarian.
Here's an excerpt from the ad:
The position coordinates with library staff to ensure efficient operation of the digital repository system, and supervises a team of student digitization workers. Key responsibilities include: developing the technical infrastructure necessary to support the Library's digitization strategy; leading and/or consulting on digital projects/initiatives that develop digital collections; providing training and support for other library staff in the development of digital collections; and ensuring adherence to accepted digital preservation policies and practices. Supporting and coordinating the creation of metadata for digital collections is a key activity.
Norman Gray, Tobia Carozzi, and Graham Woan have self-archived Managing Research Data in Big Science in arXiv.org.
Here's an excerpt:
The project which led to this report was funded by JISC in 2010-2011 as part of its 'Managing Research Data' programme, to examine the way in which Big Science data is managed, and produce any recommendations which may be appropriate. . . .
This project has explored these differences using as a case-study Gravitational Wave data generated by the LSC [LIGO Scientific Collaboration], and has produced recommendations intended to be useful variously to JISC, the funding council (STFC) and the LSC community.
In Sect. 1 we define what we mean by 'big science', describe the overall data culture there, laying stress on how it necessarily or contingently differs from other disciplines.
In Sect. 2 we discuss the benefits of a formal data-preservation strategy, and the cases for open data and for well-preserved data that follow from that. . . .
In Sect. 3 we briefly discuss the LIGO data management plan, and pull together whatever information is available on the estimation of digital preservation costs.
| Digital Curation Bibliography: Preservation and Stewardship of Scholarly Works | Digital Scholarship |
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission is recruiting a Drupal Programmer Analyst.
Here's an excerpt from the ad:
The Drupal programmer analyst is responsible for all aspects of Drupal content management system (CMS) development. This analyst develops new applications/modules, ports existing PHP applications into Drupal, performs security assessments, and leads efforts in Drupal upgrades. Required theme design will include a shift towards increased mobile responsiveness. Also, this developer works with the Linux systems analyst and network operations staff to fine-tune the Drupal configuration. Work is accomplished under the general guidance of the Lead Programmer Analyst or in coordination with the other application developers.
Bo-Christer Björk and David Solomon have published "Open Access versus Subscription Journals: A Comparison of Scientific Impact" in BMC Medicine.
Here's an excerpt:
Overall, average citation rates, both unweighted and weighted for the number of articles per journal, were about 30% higher for subscription journals. However, after controlling for discipline (medicine and health versus other), age of the journal (three time periods) and the location of the publisher (four largest publishing countries versus other countries) the differences largely disappeared in most subcategories except for journals that had been launched prior to 1996. OA journals that fund publishing with article processing charges (APCs) are on average cited more than other OA journals. In medicine and health, OA journals founded in the last 10 years are receiving about as many citations as subscription journals launched during the same period.
| Transforming Scholarly Publishing through Open Access: A Bibliography | Digital Scholarship |
The Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project has released The Rise of the "Connected Viewer".
Here's an excerpt:
Television's solitary screen is being supplemented by multi-screen interactivity. Half of all adult cell owners (52%) have used their phones recently for engagement, diversion, or interaction with other people while watching TV. The Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project measured the prevalence of these multi-screen viewing experiences by asking the 88% of American adults who are cell owners whether they had used their phone to engage in several different activities while watching television in the 30 days preceding an April 2012 survey.
| Scholarly Electronic Publishing Weblog | Digital Scholarship |
Youngstown State University's William F. Maag, Jr. Library is recruiting a Systems Librarian.
Here's an excerpt from the ad (posting number: 0600225):
To be responsible for Maag Library's major computer based systems that support library functions, provide library services and/or store and provide access to information content. To administer computer servers, administer library applications on those servers, and design and administer databases that define the functionality of these systems. To report to Maag Library Executive Director, to serve with the Executive Director and the Electronic Services Librarian as a member of the Technology group and, as a member of the Technology group supports other Maag technical applications and equipment as needed.
The European Research Council has released Open Access Status of Journal Articles from ERC-Funded Projects.
Here's an excerpt:
The main objective of this analysis is to estimate the extent to which journal articles from ERC funded projects are available in an open access. . . .
The results show that 62 % of journal articles from ERC funded projects are available in open access. The share of articles in open access varies across research domains. It is close to 70 % in Life Sciences, 65 % in Physical Sciences and Engineering and nearer 50 % in Social Sciences and Humanities. A comparison with the data on open access status provided by the grant holders in their mid-term reports shows that self-reporting leads to an underestimation of the proportion of open access articles.
| Open Access Bibliography: Liberating Scholarly Literature with E-Prints and Open Access Journals | Digital Scholarship |
Lehigh University is recruiting a Director, Library Technology.
Here's an excerpt from the ad:
This position will plan, direct, and take a leadership role in the support of the digital library and library technology systems used by the Lehigh University Community.
Yesterday DigitalKoans reported on the Research Councils UK's new open access policy. Today, the European Commission has announced another major open access policy.
Here's an excerpt from the press release:
The European Commission today outlined measures to improve access to scientific information produced in Europe. Broader and more rapid access to scientific papers and data will make it easier for researchers and businesses to build on the findings of public-funded research. This will boost Europe's innovation capacity and give citizens quicker access to the benefits of scientific discoveries. In this way, it will give Europe a better return on its €87 billion annual investment in R&D. The measures complement the Commission's Communication to achieve a European Research Area (ERA), also adopted today.
As a first step, the Commission will make open access to scientific publications a general principle of Horizon 2020, the EU's Research & Innovation funding programme for 2014-2020. As of 2014, all articles produced with funding from Horizon 2020 will have to be accessible:
- articles will either immediately be made accessible online by the publisher ('Gold' open access)—up-front publication costs can be eligible for reimbursement by the European Commission; or
- researchers will make their articles available through an open access repository no later than six months (12 months for articles in the fields of social sciences and humanities) after publication ('Green' open access).
The Commission has also recommended that Member States take a similar approach to the results of research funded under their own domestic programmes. The goal is for 60% of European publicly-funded research articles to be available under open access by 2016.
The Commission will also start experimenting with open access to the data collected during publicly funded research (e.g. the numerical results of experiments), taking into account legitimate concerns related to the fundee's commercial interests or to privacy.
| Transforming Scholarly Publishing through Open Access: A Bibliography | Digital Scholarship |
Weill Cornell Medical College is recruiting a Data Services/Metadata Librarian.
Here's an excerpt from the ad:
The data services/metadata librarian supports the creation, discovery of and access to the institution's data and to the library's digital and print content through consultation, metadata creation, analysis, enrichment, and maintenance according to local and national cataloging and metadata standards.
The University of California Berkeley is recruiting a Project Archivist/ Digital Project Manager.
Here's an excerpt from the ad:
The University of California, Berkeley, is seeking a Processing Archivist and Digital Project Manager whose primary responsibility will be the processing of two large architectural records collections. This is a full-time (1 FTE), temporary appointment for one year. The successful candidate will have experience with processing complex collections, demonstrated understanding of archival description and non-traditional materials, familiarity with archival standards (EAD, METS, MARC, MODS), and strong communication skills.
David Willetts, the UK Minister for Science and Universities, has issued "Government Response to the Finch Group Report: 'Accessibility, Sustainability, Excellence: How to Expand Access to Research Publications'."
Here's an excerpt:
The Government has listened carefully to what publishers, learned societies and the Finch Group collectively have had to say on this issue. We prefer the 'gold' over the 'green' model, especially where the research is taxpayer funded so the Government agrees with the sentiment expressed in the Finch Report. Embargo periods allowed by funding bodies for publishers should be short where publishers have chosen not to take up the preferred option of their receiving an Article Processing Charge (which provides payment in full for immediate publication by the 'gold OA' route). Where APC funds are not available to the publisher or learned society, for the publication of publicly-funded research, then publishers could reasonably insist on a longer more equitable embargo period. This could be up to 12 months for science, technology and engineering publications and longer for publications in those disciplines which require more time to secure payback. Even so, publications with embargo periods longer than two years may find it difficult to argue that they are also serving the public interest.
| Open Access Bibliography: Liberating Scholarly Literature with E-Prints and Open Access Journals | Digital Scholarship |
The Research Councils UK has adopted a new open access policy.
Here's an excerpt from the press release:
Research Councils UK (RCUK) has today, 16th July 2012, unveiled its new Open Access policy. Informed by the work of the National Working Group on Expanding Access to Published Research Findings, chaired by Professor Dame Janet Finch, the policy at once harmonises and makes significant changes to existing Research Councils' Open Access policies. . . .
The new policy, which will apply to all qualifying publications being submitted for publication from 1 April 2013, states that peer reviewed research papers which result from research that is wholly or partially funded by the Research Councils:
- must be published in journals which are compliant with Research Council policy on Open Access, and;
- must include details of the funding that supported the research, and a statement on how the underlying research materials such as data, samples or models can be accessed.
Criteria which journals must fulfill to be compliant with the Research Councils' Open Access policy are detailed within the policy, but include offering a 'pay to publish'; option or allowing deposit in a subject or institutional repository after a mandated maximum embargo period. In addition, the policy mandates use of 'CC-BY', the Creative Commons 'Attribution' license, when an APC is levied. The CC_BY licence allows others to modify, build upon and/or distribute the licensed work (including for commercial purposes) as long as the original author is credited.
The Research Councils will provide block grants to eligible UK Higher Education Institutions, approved independent research organisations and Research Council Institutes to support payment of the Article Processing Charges (APCs) associated with 'pay-to-publish'. In parallel, eligible organisations will be expected to set-up and manage their own publication funds. The Research Councils will work with eligible organisations to discuss the detail of the new approach to funding APCs and to ensure that appropriate and auditable mechanisms are put in place to manage the funds.
Along with HEFCE and other relevant Funding Bodies, we shall monitor these policies actively, both to review their effects and to ensure that our joint objectives on Open Access are being met.
| Transforming Scholarly Publishing through Open Access: A Bibliography | Digital Scholarship |
