Posts by Melanie Schlosser

November 29, 2018

The state of the field: An excerpt from the 2019 Library Publishing Directory

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As much as we love the searchable online interface for the Library Publishing Directory, it doesn’t include the introduction found in the print, PDF, and EPUB versions. Each year, the Directory‘s introduction includes a ‘state of the field’ based on that year’s data that highlights trends and new developments in library publishing as reported by the programs that contribute their information. To make it easier to find, we are republishing that portion of the introduction here. This year’s introduction was written by Alexandra Hoff, Jessica Kirschner, Janet Swatscheno, and Robert Browder, with an assist from me. Enjoy!

MOVING FORWARD, LOOKING OUTWARD

LOCAL AND EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIPS

Local partnerships remain a mainstay of library publishing, and this is reflected in the 2019 dataset. Most library publishers report partnering with campus departments (80%) and individual faculty (78%). Many also partner with
graduate students (57%) and undergraduate students (57%). A minority of library publishers partner with the university press (29%).

While library publishers continue to focus on campus stakeholders through faculty-driven and student-driven journals, this year’s responses indicated a significant increase in the number of journals published for external groups. The number of faculty-driven journals increased 16% (442 to 512) from the previous year, and the number of student-driven journals increased 31% (224 to 294), while journals published for external groups increased 50% (173 to 259). It is possible that the increase in journals published for outside groups is part of a larger trend in library publishing, or it may reflect more specifically the publishing approaches of the many new entries in this year’s Directory. (more…)

Library Publishing Directory 2019 now available
November 29, 2018

Now available: This year’s Library Publishing Directory

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The Library Publishing Coalition is pleased to announce publication of the 2019 Library Publishing Directory! This year’s Library Publishing Directory highlights the publishing activities of 138 academic and research libraries, and is openly available in PDF and EPUB formats and via the searchable online directory. The Directory illustrates the many ways in which libraries are actively transforming and advancing scholarly communications in partnership with scholars, students, university presses, and others. Each year, the Directory‘s introduction presents a ‘state of the field’ based on that year’s data. 

Publication of the 2019 Directory was overseen by the LPC’s Directory Committee:

  • Alexandra Hoff, Purdue University (2018-19 chair)
  • Robert Browder, Virginia Tech
  • Janet Swatscheno, University of Illinois
  • Jessica Kirschner, Texas Tech
  • Melanie Schlosser, Educopia Institute (ex officio)

The Directory is made possible by the generous donation of services from Purdue University Libraries and Bookmasters.

Promo image for 2019 Forum
October 23, 2018

Save the date: 2019 Library Publishing Forum preconference on publishing OERs

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Mark your calendar – on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, join us in Vancouver, BC for Opening the Classroom: Publishing Open Educational Resources, cosponsored by BCcampus and Open Textbook Network. As the use of OERs continues to grow throughout the academy, this preconference will address the growing need for distinctive practices for developing, supporting, and hosting OERs as part of library publishing. The morning will consist of a hands-on textbook publishing workshop, and the afternoon will include panels and presentations. Visit the event page to learn more, and keep an eye out for more information!

Promo image for 2019 Forum
October 12, 2018

Now open: Call for proposals for the 2019 Library Publishing Forum!

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Have a cool project happening at your library? Mulling over a big topic? Want an excuse to collaborate with peers in the library publishing world? You’re in luck – the call for proposals for the 2019 Library Publishing Forum is now open! As we did for the 2018 Forum, we are accepting proposals for two different types of sessions: individual presentations (15 minutes) and full sessions (60 minutes). Individual presentations are a great opportunity to showcase a project, a workflow, an in-progress program or research project, etc. Full sessions will dig a little deeper, with multi-institution presentations or interactive formats.

While we don’t have a formal conference theme, we do have a set of mini-themes and topic suggestions, inspired by LPC’s new strategic plan:

  • Proposals that consider and promote discussions of diversity and inclusion
  • Case studies that highlight new initiatives, partnerships, or research
  • Sessions that focus on professional development and shared best practices
  • Sessions that envision the library publishing community working together (or joining forces with others) to tackle challenges at scale
  • Sessions exploring the role of library publishing in the bigger context of scholarly communication

Proposals are due November 30, so put your thinking cap on! For more information, view the full call for proposals. If you’re ready to submit, head on over to the submission form:

Submit a Proposal