Month: December 2012

Amherst College Establishes Open Access Press

Amherst College has established an open access press, the Amherst College Press.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

Conceived by Amherst College Librarian Bryn Geffert, Amherst College Press will be housed in the college's Frost Library and will solicit manuscripts from scholars who may be especially receptive to new publishing paradigms at a time when traditional academic presses are reducing the number of titles they publish. . . .

At the outset, Amherst College Press will publish solely in liberal arts disciplines such as political science, literary studies, history, economics and anthropology—areas for which Amherst is well known. The press will produce books in formats that will be suitable for most e-readers; print-on-demand may be available. The press will not focus on print production or distribution. . . .

Funding for the press will come from the Frost Library and from an endowed position for which the college is currently raising money. The college also expects that the content of the Amherst College-affiliated literary magazine The Common will be freely available online under the open-access model governing the press, while The Common will continue to use its own resources to produce the publication's print version.

Read more about it at "Frequently Asked Questions."

Transforming Scholarly Publishing through Open Access: A Bibliography Cover

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

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Current News: Twitter Updates for 12/6/12

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Systems Librarian at Johnson C. Smith University Library

The Johnson C. Smith University Library is recruiting a Systems Librarian .

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The Systems Librarian is responsible for the management, day-to-day operation, maintenance, testing, troubleshooting, and implementation of advanced functionalities and enhancements of the Library Innovative Management System. The ideal candidate will provide technology and computer support within the library. Serve as webmaster, coordinating the design and maintenance of the library's web page, and maintaining the library's online instructional curriculum in support of the University's instructional programs.

| Digital Scholarship |

"Contribution to the Definition of a Positive Agenda for the Public Domain: A Policy Paper by COMMUNIA International Association on the Public Domain"

COMMUNIA has released "Contribution to the Definition of a Positive Agenda for the Public Domain: A Policy Paper by COMMUNIA International Association on the Public Domain."

Here's an excerpt:

This policy paper proposes to contribute to defining a positive agenda for the Public Domain. It is grounded on a WIPO study by Professor Sèverine Dusollier, Communia policy recommendations and Communia previous WIPO statements. This work-in-progress document presents policy recommendations and strategies aimed at the trans-national level , namely WIPO CDIP and SCCR. Legal language will be drafted at a later stage.

Open Access Bibliography: Liberating Scholarly Literature with E-Prints and Open Access Journals Cover

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Systems Librarian at Xavier University of Louisiana Library

The Xavier University of Louisiana Library is recruiting a Systems Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

  • Manages and assumes overall responsibility for the operation of the integrated library system (ILS) and all of its components including the public catalog interface. This includes liaison work with library staff, remote server administrators, the university integrated library system vendor VTLS/VIRTUA; deployment and support for associated hardware and desktop client software for library staff.
  • Serves as the primary library technical support contact and liaison with the university IT department.
  • Is responsible for installing and maintaining library software.

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"Manipulating Google Scholar Citations and Google Scholar Metrics: Simple, Easy and Tempting"

Emilio Delgado López-Cózar, Nicolás Robinson-García, and Daniel Torres-Salinas have self-archived "Manipulating Google Scholar Citations and Google Scholar Metrics: Simple, Easy and Tempting" in arXiv.org.

Here's an excerpt:

The launch of Google Scholar Citations and Google Scholar Metrics may provoke a revolution in the research evaluation field as it places within every researchers reach tools that allow bibliometric measuring. In order to alert the research community over how easily one can manipulate the data and bibliometric indicators offered by Google's products we present an experiment in which we manipulate the Google Citations profiles of a research group through the creation of false documents that cite their documents, and consequently, the journals in which they have published modifying their H index. . . . We analyse the malicious effect this type of practices can cause to Google Scholar Citations and Google Scholar Metrics. Finally, we conclude with several deliberations over the effects these malpractices may have and the lack of control tools these tools offer.

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

Current News: Twitter Updates for 12/5/12

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Programmer/Analyst—User Interface Design and Development at NYU Digital Library Technology Services

NYU Digital Library Technology Services is recruiting a Programmer/Analyst—User Interface Design and Development.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The Position is charged with working across a portfolio of projects to design, build, and maintain front end software for web-based systems that support and enhance accessibility and user experience for the Digital Libraries.

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"On the Impact of Gold Open Access Journals"

Christian Gumpenberger, María-Antonia Ovalle-Perandones, and Juan Gorraiz have self-archived "On the Impact of Gold Open Access Journals" in U: Scholar.

Here's an excerpt:

This study identified the current set of Gold Open Access journals featuring a Journal Impact Factor (JIF) by means of Ulrichsweb, Directory of Open Access Journals and Journal Citation Reports (JCR). The results were analyzed regarding disciplines, countries, quartiles of the JIF distribution in JCR and publishers. Furthermore the temporal impact evolution was studied for a Top 50 titles list (according to JIF) by means of Journal Impact Factor, SJR and SNIP in the time interval 2000-2010. The identified top Gold Open Access journals proved to be well-established and their impact is generally increasing for all the analyzed indicators. The majority of JCR-indexed OA journals can be assigned to Life Sciences and Medicine. The success-rate for JCR inclusion differs from country to country and is often inversely proportional to the number of national OA journal titles.

Transforming Scholarly Publishing through Open Access: A Bibliography Cover

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

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Information Technology Analyst at Syracuse University Library

The Syracuse University Library is recruiting an Information Technology Analyst.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Under the general direction of Senior Information Technology Programmer/Analyst and in collaboration with library staff, the Information Technology(IT)Analyst will assist in architecting, designing, developing, and implementing customized, complex database driven technical solutions for the Syracuse University Library in an effort to provide intuitive interfaces for users and automate processes where necessary. This position is responsible for high-end web and mobile application development efforts for but not limited to: the Library website, various third party research tool customization, and grant funded projects.

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Digital Preservation Coalition Announces Winners of DCP Digital Preservation Awards

The Digital Preservation Coalition has announced the winners of the 2012 DCP Digital Preservation Awards.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

The Award for Teaching and Communications was presented by Oliver Morley, Chief Executive of the National Archives to a small team from the University of London Computer Centre who run the Digital Preservation Training Programme (DPTP)—an entry-level, introductory course that develops critical thinking about digital preservation. . . .

The Award for Research and Innovation was presented by Martyn Harrow, Chief Executive of JISC to the PLANETS project. PLANETS brought together memory institutions, small businesses, major technology providers, and research institutions from across Europe to build practical services and tools to help ensure long-term access to digital cultural and scientific assets. . . .

The DPC's most prestigious prize—the Decennial Prize—is awarded specially to mark the tenth anniversary of the founding of the DPC and it recognizes the most outstanding work over the decade that the DPC has existed. An intense international competition followed and finalists from New York, Washington and London were selected after a painstaking assessment by an expert panel. But when Dame Lynne Brindley announced the winner this evening, it was the Archaeology Data Service at the University of York that came out on top. The Archaeology Data Service is an innovative group based in the Archaeology Department of the University of York.

Digital Curation Bibliography: Preservation and Stewardship of Scholarly Works Cover

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

Current News: Twitter Updates for 12/4/2012

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Current News: Twitter Updates for 12/3/12

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National Archives Announces Grant Awards for Historical Records Digitization Projects

The National Archives has announced its grant awards for historical records projects, including those for digitization and electronic records management and preservation.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

Digitizing historical records grants, totaling $420,000, went to four projects: the University of Florida will digitize and make available more than 36,000 pages of diaries and manuscripts from the end of the Colonial period to the beginnings of the modern state; Princeton University will digitize more than 400,000 pages of six Cold War-related manuscript collections; Harvard University will digitize 189,074 pages, covering four generations of the Blackwell Family from 1784 to 1981, that cover abolition, temperance, women's suffrage, and education; and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation in Springfield, Illinois, will digitize the records of Richard Yates, Sr., governor of Illinois 1861-1865.

Three Electronic Records grants, totaling $235,000, went to: the Council of State Archivists for a two-year project to strengthen the capacity of states and territories to manage and preserve electronic records; an electronic records start-up project at the Guggenheim Museum in New York; and a planning grant for the Missouri Office of the Secretary of State to establish an electronic records archives.

| Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications | Digital Scholarship |

Search Reopened: Web Services Librarian at Norwich University Library

The Norwich University Library has reopened its search for a Web Services Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

This newly aligned position is designed to focus on enhancing and supporting the library's web services. The librarian will provide leadership for the library's web presence and associated activities and initiatives, working with the Digital Services team and other library faculty and staff. A user-centered approach will guide the librarian's work and the successful candidate will be encouraged to employ user testing and usability studies. Norwich is an early adopter of OCLC's WorldShare Management Services and in this capacity there is ample opportunity to develop web applications that improve library processes and services.

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IMLS Issues Call for Applications for National Leadership Grants-Libraries

The Institute of Museum and Library Services has issued a call for applications for National Leadership Grants-Libraries.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

The guidelines for National Leadership Grants-Libraries have changed this year. Because the program is no longer aligned with National Leadership Grants for Museums, it no longer includes a category for Library-Museum Collaboration. Museum applicants should see the National Leadership Grants for Museums guidelines on the IMLS website. Collaboration is still an important characteristic of successful grant applications, and partnerships with museums and other libraries and community organizations are encouraged, but not required. Collaborative partnerships can help demonstrate a broad need, field-wide buy-in and input, access to appropriate expertise, and sharing of resources.

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

Assistant Dean of Libraries for Systems & Technologies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania Libraries

The Indiana University of Pennsylvania Libraries are recruiting an Assistant Dean of Libraries for Systems & Technologies.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The Assistant Dean of Libraries for Systems & Technology will provide leadership and direction for the libraries' technology infrastructure and systems, including library management systems, network integrity and security, support of enterprise library applications and services and advancing library systems and technologies.

Analyst Programmer 1 at University of Oregon Library

The University of Oregon Library is recruiting a Analyst Programmer 1.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

This position provides lead technical support and management of the library's Web sites and intranet. Duties include:

… providing technical support and management of the library Web presence and assisting library staff who are responsible for creating Web content; monitoring and implementing appropriate standards and guidelines, including 508 compliant web design standards and communicating these with staff; maintaining web analytics for Web sites.

… installing and configuring Web applications in both development and production environments; installing software updates and patches for blogs, wikis, other content management systems, and other Web based applications.

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General Cost Analysis for Scholarly Communication in Germany: Results of the "Houghton Report" for Germany

Goethe University has released General Cost Analysis for Scholarly Communication in Germany: Results of the "Houghton Report" for Germany.

Here's an excerpt:

This analysis of the potential benefits of more open access to research findings suggests that different publishing models can make a material difference to the benefits realised, as well as the costs faced. It seems likely that more Open Access would have substantial net benefits in the longer term and, while net benefits may be lower during a transitional period, they are likely to be positive for both 'author-pays' Open Access publishing and the 'over-lay journals' alternatives ('Gold Open Access'), and for parallel subscription publishing and self-archiving ('Green Open Access'). The NLP returns substantial benefits and savings at a modest cost, returning one of the highest benefit/cost ratios available from unilateral national policies during a transitional period (second to that of 'Green Open Access' self-archiving). Whether 'Green Open Access' self-archiving in parallel with subscriptions is a sustainable model over the longer term is debateable, and what impact the NLP may have on the take up of Open Access alternatives is also an important consideration. So too is the potential for developments in Open Access or other scholarly publishing business models to significantly change the relative cost-benefit of the NLP over time.

Open Access Bibliography: Liberating Scholarly Literature with E-Prints and Open Access Journals Cover

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Systems Librarian (Web and Digital Initiatives) at University of Texas Arlington Libraries

The University of Texas Arlington Libraries are recruiting a Systems Librarian (Web and Digital Initiatives).

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

This position is part of a 2 year fellowship program. The Systems Librarian (Web and Digital Initiatives) is responsible for the technical leadership, management and development of UT Arlington Libraries, portfolio of websites, digital collections, web applications and other innovative digital initiatives.

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Harvard School of Public Health Adopts Open Access Policy

The Harvard School of Public Health has adopted an open access policy. It is the eighth Harvard school to do so.

Here's an excerpt:

Each Faculty member grants to the President and Fellows of Harvard College permission to make available his or her scholarly articles and to exercise the copyright in those articles. More specifically, each Faculty member grants to the President and Fellows a nonexclusive, irrevocable, worldwide license to exercise any and all rights under copyright relating to each of his or her scholarly articles, in any medium, provided that the articles are not sold for a profit, and to authorize others to do the same. The policy applies to all scholarly articles authored or co-authored while the person is a member of the Faculty except for any articles completed before the adoption of this policy and any articles for which the Faculty member entered into an incompatible licensing or assignment agreement before the adoption of this policy. The Dean or Dean's designate will waive application of the license for a particular article or delay access for a specified period of time upon express direction by a Faculty member.

Transforming Scholarly Publishing through Open Access: A Bibliography Cover

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

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Current News: Twitter Updates for 12/2/2012

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