Month: September 2012

Current News: Twitter Updates for 9/11/12

| Digital Scholarship |

"Linked Data Vocabulary Management: Infrastructure Support, Data Integration, and Interoperability"

Gordon Dunsire, Corey Harper, Diane Hillmann, and Jon Phipps have published "Linked Data Vocabulary Management: Infrastructure Support, Data Integration, and Interoperability" in a special issue of Information Standards Quarterly devoted to linked data issues.

Here's an excerpt:

Recently there has been a shift in popular approaches to large-scale metadata management and interoperability. Approaches rooted in semantic Web technologies, particularly in the resource description Framework (rdF) and related data modeling efforts, are gaining favor and popularity. In the library community, this trend has accelerated since the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) re-framed many of the Semantic Web's enabling technologies in terms of Linked Open Data (LOD)—a lightweight practice of using web-friendly identifiers, explicit domain models, and related ontologies to design graph-based metadata. As more and more RDF-based metadata become available, a lack of established best practices for vocabulary development and management in a Semantic Web world is leading to a certain level of vocabulary chaos. Strategies for vocabulary publishing, discovery, evaluation, and mapping have the potential to change the conversation significantly.

| Digital Scholarship's Digital/Print Books | Digital Scholarship |

Publishers Appeal Georgia State E-reserves Case

Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press, and Sage Publications have filed an appeal in the Cambridge University Press et al. v. Patton et al. case.

Here's an excerpt from the press release announcing the publishers' intent to appeal:

This case had the potential to mark a significant first step toward addressing the need for clarity around issues of copyright in the context of higher education, where current practices around fair use in a digital environment vary widely and could benefit from sound judicial guidance. Our hope was that the District Court would provide that guidance.

Instead, the Court's rulings, culminating in the August injunction decision, shift radically from long-accepted fair use principles and introduce, among other errors, unsustainable policies regarding the proportion of a work not readily available for digital licensing that can be digitally copied without restriction. We have no alternative but to appeal, to protect our authors' copyrights and advocate for a balanced and workable solution.

Read more about it at "Publishers Appeal Ruling in GSU E-Reserves Case."

| Scholarly Electronic Publishing Bibliography 2010: "SEP [Scholarly Electronic Publishing Bibliography] is compiled with utter professionalism. It reminds me of the work of the best artisans who know not only every item that leaves their workshops, but each component used to create them—providing the ideal quality control." — Péter Jacsó ONLINE 27, no. 3 (2003): 73-76. | Digital Scholarship |

Director of Digital Strategies & Services at Smith College Libraries

The Smith College Libraries are recruiting a Director of Digital Strategies & Services.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Lead the Libraries and the Libraries' Digital Strategies & Services group in collaboratively developing, integrating and supporting current and emerging technologies for all library services to enhance and improve the learning and research experience of our users. Facilitate and improve access to digital scholarly resources through a multitude of web services platforms. Lead the Libraries' collaborative efforts in campus digital initiatives in providing discovery, access and preservation for the college's unique scholarly assets. Collaborate with library leadership and staff to realize the vision and mission of the Libraries.

| Digital Scholarship |

"The Liblog Landscape: Where Are They Now?"

Walt Crawford has published "The Liblog Landscape: Where Are They Now?" in the latest issue of Cites & Insights: Crawford at Large.

Here's an excerpt:

As I was preparing the two-part Words essay Thinking About Blogs, and specifically Part 2 with its emphasis on libraries and liblogs, I got to wondering: Where are they now? And I'd seen hints here and there that people were missing a reasonably comprehensive list of what's out there. . . .

The results come in two flavors. This essay offers the basic facts: How many have disappeared, how many appear to be moribund (or have officially closed) but are still visible, how recently each blog had been updated and some overall comments on longevity. The second flavor is a new page linked to from Walt at Random consisting of two lists of hyperlinked liblog names: One for blogs updated sometime within the past year (when checked—that is, sometime after July 30, 2011) that haven't explicitly closed, one for closed and apparently-moribund blogs. Blogs that disappeared entirely aren't in either list. You'll find that list at waltcrawford.name/liblogs.

| Digital Scholarship's Weblogs and Tweets | Digital Scholarship |

Copyright Management Officer at UC Office of the President

The University of California Office of the President is recruiting a Copyright Management Officer.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Reporting to the Director of CDL Access & Publishing Services, the Copyright Management Officer will serve as the CDL expert and point of contact on copyright issues pertaining most specifically to the UCSF Open Access Policy (and others as they are implemented across the campuses), eScholarship open access publishing services, data-intensive research activities, as well as the use and reuse of copyrighted materials within UC's systemwide special collections services. This position will also consult collaboratively across the organization, coordinating with other CDL units that provide related services and policy guidance in regards to data management and licensed content. Tasked with educating librarians, faculty, staff and students in copyright matters, the incumbent will provide leadership in the development of copyright policies and best practices, as well as the development of systemwide resources designed to provide ongoing guidance in these issues. In addition, the Copyright Management Officer will monitor and participate in the development of national and international legislation and policies around copyright and will lead the effort to advise and consolidate systemwide responses to these initiatives.

| Digital Scholarship |

"Copyright and the Harvard Open Access Mandate"

Eric Priest has self-archived "Copyright and the Harvard Open Access Mandate" in SSRN.

Here's an excerpt:

This Article argues that permission mandates can create legally enforceable, durable nonexclusive licenses. First, it argues that although there are important justifications, including academic freedom concerns, for recognizing the controversial “teacher exception” to the work for hire rules for scholarly articles, such an exception may be unnecessary because a strong argument also exists that much scholarship is produced outside the scope of employment for work for hire purposes. Second, it argues that permission mandates provide sufficient evidence of the grantor's intent and the rights granted to create effective nonexclusive licenses. Third, permission mandates satisfy the requirements of § 205(e) and establish the license's priority over the subsequent transfer of copyright ownership largely because they fulfill the underlying purposes of § 205(e) by providing sufficient evidence and notice of the license to potential copyright transferees (typically academic publishers).

| Transforming Scholarly Publishing through Open Access: A Bibliography: "This work gives an outstanding overview of scholarship relating to the growing Open Access movement." — George Machovec, The Charleston Advisor 12, no. 2 (2010): 3. | Digital Scholarship |

Digital Curation and the Cloud: Final Report

JISC has released Digital Curation and the Cloud: Final Report. This is a revised version of the draft report that was released earlier this year.

Here's an excerpt:

Digital curation involves a wide range of activities, many of which may be suitable for deployment within a cloud environment. These range from infrequent, resource-intensive tasks which will benefit from the ability to rapidly provision resources, to day-to-day collaborative activities which can be facilitated by networked cloud services. Associated benefits are offset by risks such as loss of data or service level, legal and governance incompatibilities and transfer bottlenecks. There is considerable variability across both risks and benefits according to the service and deployment models being adopted and the context in which activities are performed. Some risks, such as legal liabilities, are mitigated by the use of alternatives, for example, private cloud models, but this is typically at the expense of benefits such as resource elasticity and economies of scale.

| Digital Curation Bibliography: Preservation and Stewardship of Scholarly Works | Digital Scholarship |

Senior Associate Library Director for Systems and Digital Projects at University of Texas at Dallas’s Eugene McDermott Library

The University of Texas at Dallas's Eugene McDermott Library is recruiting a Senior Associate Library Director for Systems and Digital Projects.

Here's an excerpt from the ad (Req ID: 102952):

Reporting to the Director of Libraries, this senior administrative position is responsible for envisioning and defining the services provided by the integrated library systems and discover services (Ex Libris' Voyager/SFX/Primo as well as the migration to Alma as an early adopter.)

The Senior Associate Library Director will be responsible for managing all activities related to information systems including implementation and maintenance of library software products (ILLiad, EZProxy) and equipment/servers. The position will require a working knowledge of systems administration (UNIX command structure, Oracle, Apache, and security standards) and programming languages (e.g. Perl, PHP, SQL, JAVA, XML), web services, and DSpace or other institutional repository software. The Senior Associate Library Director is responsible for managing all Library Systems Division personnel.

| Digital Scholarship |

UK Government Allocates £10 Million to Support Open Access

The UK Government has allocated £10 million to support open access in UK research universities.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

The investment will enable a number of research-intensive UK institutions to kick-start the process of developing policies and setting up funds to meet the costs of article processing charges (APCs). This is in line with the recommendations of the Finch report on open access, published in June. . . .

The investment will be made to 30 institutions receiving funding through Research Councils and UK higher education funding councils. It is in addition to the contribution RCUK will be making to institutions to support payment of APCs associated with open access through block funding grants from 1 April 2013 onwards. More details of this will be announced in the autumn.

The UK Funding Councils will launch a consultation this autumn on implementing a requirement that research outputs submitted to any future Research Excellence Framework (REF) should be as widely accessible as possible.

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

"Linked Data Services for Theses and Dissertations"

Thomas Johnson and Michael Boock have self-archived "Linked Data Services for Theses and Dissertations" in ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University.

Here's an excerpt:

This paper details work at Oregon State University to create a Linked Dataset covering the University's theses and dissertations. Using data from existing MARC and Qualified Dublin Core records, we have established a process and model for crosswalking data from existing records into a variety of Semantic Web vocabularies. Our approach is to create basic services on a dedicated thesis and dissertation interface, incrementally extending those available through our institutional repository. We describe services implemented, those in progress and plans for continued work. We also address the limitations of our existing metadata and resulting challenges in crosswalking and interoperability.

| Institutional Repository and ETD Bibliography 2011 | Digital Scholarship |

Computer Systems Analyst at Virginia Tech’s Newman Library

Virginia Tech's Newman Library is recruiting a Computer Systems Analyst.

Here's an excerpt from the ad (posting number:0122286):

Virginia Tech's Newman Library is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Computer Systems Analyst. This position writes code to improve locally developed and community-driven software from application development through deployment. Automates metadata discovery, extraction, creation and/or migration. Supports digital preservation strategies (e.g., writing plugins, monitoring networked caches). Supports digital library, repository, publishing, and virtual community systems by writing and/or using programs, including Java, Python, Ruby, Perl, PHP, MySQL, CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. Performs project related work.

| Digital Scholarship |

Researcher Attitudes and Behaviour Towards the ‘Openness’ of Research Outputs in Agriculture and Related Fields

Coherence in Information for Agricultural Research for Development has released Researcher Attitudes and Behaviour Towards the 'Openness' of Research Outputs in Agriculture and Related Fields.

Here's an excerpt:

An online worldwide survey of researchers in agriculture and related fields was carried out in March 2011 by the CGIAR, FAO and GFAR on behalf of the CIARD (Coherence in Information for Agricultural Research for Development) initiative. The aim of the survey was to gain greater understanding of researcher behaviours and attitudes in relation to communicating research outputs and making such outputs open and accessible. There were almost 1500 responses to the survey, with 50% of respondents identifying that they worked in Latin America and 33% in Africa. The survey analysis shows that, although researchers are driven in their work by many different and interacting motivations, institutional/organizational factors are very important and have much influence over individuals' behaviour. Often, making a research output freely and openly available can be in the hands of the individual, and some will act in this way. However, for many others there are perceived barriers to this, such as the lack of required resources and of institutional policies to drive these activities. Further, current behaviours in choosing routes to communicate research results are still strongly biased toward the traditional routes of publishing in journals and books and appearing at conferences, though the availability and increasing use of digital formats is starting to broaden the spread of communication pathways used. The paper ends with reference to the relevance and importance to the CIARD initiative of the results of the survey.

| Open Access Bibliography: Liberating Scholarly Literature with E-Prints and Open Access Journals | Digital Scholarship |

Programmer/Web Developer at Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries

The Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries is recruiting a Programmer/Web Developer.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The Software Programmer works to support consortial initiatives by designing, developing, implementing, and maintaining tools and applications for use in services such as the Prospector union catalog (http://www.coalliance.org/prospector), the Gold Rush serials/e-resource management system (http://goldrush.coalliance.org), database licensing initiatives and general Website development and support. Some of the software is commercially acquired and the programmer will develop or add-on related functionality, other software has been locally developed and is completely under local control. Open source tools and services are used when possible.

| Digital Scholarship |

"E-Content: Opportunity and Risk"

Shelton Waggener has published "E-Content: Opportunity and Risk" in the latest issue of EDUCAUSE Review.

Here's an excerpt:

During the last eighteen months, first as the Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer at the University of California-Berkeley and more recently as Senior Vice President at Internet2, I have been engaged in conversations with peers from around the country to determine the risks, challenges, opportunities, and best practices associated with a full e-content environment. Simply put, almost every institution is scrambling to develop and implement an e-content strategy. Even those schools that started early and thought they had a strong plan and a clear path forward are now revisiting their plans based on the rapid pace of change. The following guide has been developed as a quick reference "do and don't" checklist, providing a few observations from these discussions. Some of the recommendations are short-term strategies; others are better for a long-term approach. All can provide guidance during this time of momentous change.

| Digital Curation Bibliography: Preservation and Stewardship of Scholarly Works | Digital Scholarship |

Metadata and Digital Initiatives Librarian at Wichita State University Libraries

Wichita State University Libraries are recruiting a Metadata and Digital Initiatives Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The Wichita State University Libraries is seeking an enthusiastic, creative, and forward thinking librarian to join the Libraries as an active participant in providing support to the research and data management needs of our campus community. The Metadata and Digital Initiatives Librarian will work in a dynamic and flexible environment, focusing on creation and access management of digital collections, provision of metadata for diverse materials including print and digital collections, and training and supervision as assigned.

| Digital Scholarship |

"Tectonic Movements toward OA in the UK and Europe"

Peter Suber has published "Tectonic Movements toward OA in the UK and Europe" in the latest issue of the SPARC Open Access Newsletter.

Here's an excerpt:

Because this article is long, I'm including a table of contents:

1. Three major OA announcements from the UK on the same day

2. Some recent history as context for these announcements

3. Basics of the new RCUK policy

4. Basics of the Finch recommendations

5. General agreement between the RCUK policy and Finch recommendations

6. Appreciation of the large-scale shift to OA in the UK

7. Some consequences for journals and authors

8. Responding to publisher fears of green OA

9. Objections and recommendations

10. Announcements from Europe the day after the UK announcements

| Transforming Scholarly Publishing through Open Access: A Bibliography: "This bibliography is recommended for everyone interested in open access publishing." — M. Blobaum, Journal of the Medical Library Association 100, no. 1 (2012): 73. | Digital Scholarship |

Director, Systemwide Digital Library Services at California State University’s Office of the Chancellor

The California State University's Office of the Chancellor is recruiting a Director, Systemwide Digital Library Services.

Here's an excerpt from the ad (job ID: 863):

The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is seeking a Director of Systemwide Digital Library Services who is responsible for the entire life cycle of each system and project with a particular focus on open source systems from requirements gathering to deployment and maintenance. As the leader of a team actively engaged in applied research and development, the Director provides technology and design leadership, management of systemwide projects with 23 campus libraries, supervises staff, and oversees the work of external partners in the development of new systems and services.

| Digital Scholarship |

Middleware and Managing Data and Knowledge in a Data-Rich World

The Trans-European Research and Education Networking Association has released Middleware and Managing Data and Knowledge in a Data-Rich World.

Here's an excerpt:

This report explores the important aspects of data handling and storage in the context of future research networks and the associated services. The study encompasses networking requirements, storage, middleware, data policies, and data origin, each of which is considered from the standpoint of five disciplines: Genomics, High Energy Physics, Digital Cultural Heritage, Radio Astronomy, and Distributed Music Performance.

| Research Data Curation Bibliography | Digital Scholarship |

Data Services Specialist at Purdue University Libraries

Purdue University Libraries are recruiting a Data Services Specialist.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The Data Services Specialist will work with faculty and staff to integrate data services throughout the Libraries. The Data Services Specialist will work centrally to design, develop and implement resources, tools, and systems. S/he will assess Libraries faculty and staff needs for professional development and training in this area; advise in the use of effective data management tools and activities; collaborate with campus partners in support of data services; monitor and research new data curation approaches and technologies that may be applicable to data services; and facilitate the implementation of data service innovations. S/he will lead the Data Working Group, a Libraries-wide group which coordinates training and data services best practices.

| Digital Scholarship |

Moving Towards an Open Access Future: The Role of Academic Libraries

Sage has released Moving Towards an Open Access Future: The Role of Academic Libraries.

Here's an excerpt:

On 26 April 2012, a group of 14 librarians and other industry experts met together at the British Library to discuss the role of the academic library in an open access (OA) future. The aims of the roundtable were to provide an international perspective on the likely impact of an open access future on librarians, to identify support and skills required for librarians in such a future, and to further current discussion on support for the library community from their institutions, publishers, funders and other parties.

The group discussed a number of key questions, beginning with setting parameters for what the likely shift towards OA might be in different disciplines and different geographic regions, then considering what the impact of such a shift would mean for the academic library community. This report is a summary of that discussion and the opinions of all participants.

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

Assistant University Librarian for Technology Services at University of Georgia Libraries

The University of Georgia Libraries are recruiting an Assistant University Librarian for Technology Services.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The University of Georgia Libraries seeks a forward-thinking, results-oriented leader for the position of Assistant University Librarian (AUL) for Technology Services to help refine and implement the information technology vision of the UGA Libraries and the statewide GALILEO virtual library. The AUL serves as part of the senior library management team and is responsible to the University Librarian and Associate Provost for the overall administration and coordination of IT support services for the University of Georgia Libraries. The AUL is also responsible for the staff at the UGA Libraries who support GALILEO (Georgia's statewide virtual library) and GIL (the University System of Georgia's (USG) library management system) and for coordinating their activities with the Executive Director for Library Services of the Board of Regents (BOR), USG.

| Digital Scholarship |

Managing Born-Digital Special Collections and Archival Materials, SPEC Kit 329

ARL has released Managing Born-Digital Special Collections and Archival Materials, SPEC Kit 329.

Here's an excerpt from the announcement:

This SPEC Kit explores the tools, workflow, and policies special collections and archives staff use to process, manage, and provide access to born-digital materials they collect. It also looks at which staff process and manage born-digital materials and how they acquire the skills they need for these activities, and how libraries have responded to the challenges that managing born-digital materials present.

| Digital Curation Resource Guide | Digital Scholarship |

Scholarly Electronic Publishing Weblog (August 31, 2012)

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 |