Forum News

Library Publishing Forum 2020, May 4-6, Worcester, MA
October 14, 2019

LPForum20: Call for proposals and scholarship applications open

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The Library Publishing Forum is an annual conference bringing together representatives from libraries engaged in (or considering) publishing initiatives to define and address major questions and challenges; to identify and document collaborative opportunities; and to strengthen and promote this community of practice. The Forum is sponsored by the Library Publishing Coalition, but you do not need to be a member of the LPC to attend. The 2020 Forum will be held in Worcester, MA, May 4-6, hosted by the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

This year we are moving away from the format of a one-day preconference followed by a two-day Forum and instead having a single, three-day Forum. Adding a third day to the Forum will allow us to encourage deeper, continuing conversations, and to make space for different types of community activities. 

Call for Proposals

A call for proposals is now open! In addition to the full sessions and individual presentations formats we have used for the last couple of years, we are also welcoming two new proposal formats: poster talks and experimental sessions. We warmly encourage proposals from first-time presenters and representatives of small and emerging publishing programs. Proposals may address any topic of interest to the library publishing community and all disciplines. However, with the conference being hosted by the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS), we extend a special invitation to sessions exploring projects or topics related to STEM publishing and the Open Science Movement. The proposal deadline is November 15th.

Learn more and submit a proposal

Library Publishing Forum Award

The Library Publishing Coalition is pleased to offer the third annual Library Publishing Forum Award. This year, we will offer up to three awards to aid individuals from diverse backgrounds in attending and contributing at the Forum. Applications for the Forum Award are due by November 15.  

Learn more and apply

About the Forum

The Library Publishing Forum is an annual conference bringing together representatives from libraries engaged in (or considering) publishing initiatives to define and address major questions and challenges; to identify and document collaborative opportunities; and to strengthen and promote this community of practice. The Forum includes representatives from a broad, international spectrum of academic library backgrounds, as well as groups that collaborate with libraries to publish scholarly works, including publishing vendors, university presses, and scholars. The Forum is sponsored by the Library Publishing Coalition, but you do not need to be a member of the LPC to attend.


August 19, 2019

Call for proposals to host the 2021 Library Publishing Forum

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The Library Publishing Coalition is seeking a host for its annual Library Publishing Forum in the spring of 2021. The Forum typically welcomes around 200 guests for 3 days of conference and pre/post conference activities. The LPC aims to hold the Forum in a variety of attractive locations throughout North America that provide convenient access for attendees through geographic proximity or easily accessible transportation. The LPC seeks a member institution willing to act as a partner in providing access to library-owned spaces, or co-signing contracts for spaces at reduced costs.

Host responsibilities 

The Forum is financed through conference registration fees and sponsor support, and the Educopia Institute will handle all conference planning and logistics. The host institution is not required to provide additional financial support. However, local organizers should provide referrals to appropriate venues for the main conference activities, pre- and post- events, and hotel stays. The host institution should also plan to have a staff member serve as the Host Liaison on the Program Committee. The Host Liaison has a one-year, non-voting role, and is invited to attend committee meetings, but is not obligated to undertake more general committee work. In addition, we welcome support from local hosts in planning a reception and coordinating appropriate social events. 

(more…)


August 9, 2019

Open Textbook: Path to Scholarly Communication: Reflections of a Forum Attendee

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Editor’s note: This is a guest post by the recipient of a 2019 Library Publishing Forum Award. 

On the occasion of the 2019 Library Publishing Forum, held 8–10 May in Vancouver, British Columbia, it was possible to explore  the route outlined by numerous initiatives in open publishing in the academic environment and to be nourished by activities that strengthen its background.

Recognized among universities in North America, Canada, and beyond, the 2019 Forum, sponsored by the Library Publishing Coalition in collaboration with Simon Fraser University and Harbour Centre, welcomed librarians, academics, university publishers, and platform vendors interested in immersing themselves in library publishing services. 

The pre-conference on May 8 focused on Open Educational Resources. The morning workshop, offered in collaboration with the Open Textbook Network, provided an opportunity for discussion and hands-on work, highlighting project management strategies in support of open textbook publishing. Time savings in the planning stages (Plan – Do – Check – Act) are outlined through the information exchange established between author and publishing specialists related to research, resource creation, writing of the book outlined, supplemental resources, chapter planning, peer review, review related to style / format, copy editing, proofreading, preparation for publication up to launching—these are only some of the subjects offered in the BC Open Textbook Self-Publishing Guide.

In the afternoon’s full sessions, planned in collaboration with BCcampus, presenters engaged attendees with topics such as the academic publication reshaped by library publishing and set out on a small scale, requirements for sustainable software, alliances (or not) with different models of the university press, surveys about undergraduate use and acceptance of digital didactic resources, in addition to efforts to prepare librarians to work/advocate in these scenarios.

For academic book production, a collaborative approach between author, librarian, and publishing team facilitates the clarification of doubts during the project design; a timely process can avoid the familiar  miscommunications responsible for innumerable disagreements and problems such as content produced without planning; numerous “come and go” for style redesign and publishing requirements; ignorance of the author’s objectives for the publication; author’s unfamiliarity of the license to be adopted; remaining doubts about open access; uncertainties regarding DOI being the best alternative to use, definition of the most appropriate platform for hosting content.

At event closing it was evident that many discussions of the nuances of scholarly communication had originated among the disparate groups of attendees, seeking understanding of their differences in pursuit of quality-targeted solutions that reach significantly more individuals.

Daily, I have been encouraging future monograph authors and helping them prepare their manuscripts using the perspective of library as publisher; however, this activity is still unknown to many at the university. For open publishing opportunities to become a real knowledge network, a single publishing structure designed at an administrative level by the library system is necessary.

The Library Publishing Forum’s professional work provides countless perspectives for reflecting on ways to provide better library performance through concrete experiences. It has a special position in my agenda!

Célia Regina de Oliveira Rosa is Librarian at the Geosciences Institute of the Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil, www.usp.br/. She holds a Masters in Information Science with a concentration in book library publishing.


Library Publishing Forum 2020, May 4-6, Worcester, MA
June 18, 2019

Announcing the date and location of the 2020 Library Publishing Forum

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We are very excited to announce that, after an open call for proposals, the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) has been selected as the host for the 2020 Library Publishing Forum. Next year’s Forum will take place May 4-6 on UMMS’s campus in Worcester, MA.

Statement from University of Massachusetts Medical School:
“UMass Med School’s Lamar Soutter Library is excited to host the scholarly publishing community and promote the values of open and sustainable scholarship and promote the values of open and sustainable scholarship, diversity, and inclusivity in library publishing. The 2020 Forum will be held  in the Albert Sherman Center (ASC), the newest education and research building on the UMMS campus. 
 
Lamar Soutter Library manages eScholarship@UMMS, the open access digital archive and publishing system for the UMMS community. Hosting the Forum will expose participants to the pivotal work in medical library publishing being accomplished at UMMS. 
 
Thank you for the honor of hosting this international conference. We look forward to providing a venue of ease, stimulating and provocative scholarly publishing topics, and the opportunity to highlight a city steeped in history, diversity, and contemporary living. UMMS is excited to bring the ‘heart of the Commonwealth’ to the 2020 Forum.” 
Statement from LPC:
“We are delighted to join the UMass Med School Lamar Soutter Library in bringing the 2020 Library Publishing Forum to a new geographic region, full of innovative library publishers. The 2020 Forum will be a fantastic opportunity to strengthen connections across our community of practice and to learn from UMMS’s leadership in medical library publishing. The LPC sincerely thanks UMass Med School for hosting next year’s Forum!” 
We look forward to seeing you all in Worcester next year!


Promo image for 2019 Forum
June 18, 2019

Slides and video available from the Library Publishing Forum

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If you couldn’t make it to this year’s Forum or want to revisit your favorite sessions, we have gathered slides and livestreamed video for many sessions. You can access them all from the online program. Slides and video are also available for this year’s preconference,  Opening the Classroom: Publishing Open Educational Resources.

Forgot to send us your slides? It’s not too late! Email them to contact@librarypublishing.org.


Promo image for 2019 Forum
May 6, 2019

Watch the livestream of the Library Publishing Forum

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For the third time, we will be livestreaming portions of the Library Publishing Forum (May 8-10)! You can see which sessions will be streamed on the Program Page (look for the little camera icon next to the presentation title). All streaming will be done via LPC’s Twitter account and will be shared via the conference hastag: #LPForum19. Can’t watch the stream live? Links to the recordings will be added to the program after the conference.

A BIG “thank you” to our Forum livestreaming volunteers: Kevin Hawkins (University of North Texas), Jody Bailey (Emory University), and Matt Ruen (Grand Valley State University). We couldn’t do it without you!

We will also be streaming the afternoon sessions at Opening the Classroom: Publishing Open Educational Resources preconference, so make sure to tune in on 5/8 starting at 1:00 pm PST. Access to the livestream of the preconference will be available via LPC’s Twitter account and the conference hashtag: #LPForum19


April 10, 2019

AUPresses-LPC Cross-Pollination Program recipients announced

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The Cross-Pollination Conference Registration Waiver aims to promote greater interconnectivity between members of the Association of University Presses and the Library Publishing Coalition. The program helps two people from each organization’s membership to attend the other’s annual meeting.

Recipients of a waiver to attend the 2019 Library Publishing Forum are: Meredith Carruthers (Concordia University Press) and Laraine Coates (University of British Columbia Press). Recipients of a waiver to attend the 2019 AUPresses Annual Meeting are: Sherri Barnes (University of California, Santa Barbara) and Dave S. Ghamandi (University of Virginia).

After attending the meetings, this cohort of 4 cross-pollinators will provide public reports on their experience. In addition to creating collegial networks between the two communities, this program is intended to encourage future collaboration between the two organizations.

Congratulations to these worthy recipients!

The 2019 Library Publishing Forum will be held in Vancouver, British Columbia, May 8-10. Program details are available here: https://librarypublishing.org/library-publishing-forum/

The 2019 AUPresses Annual Meeting will be held in Detroit, June 11-13. Visit the meeting website for more information: http://www.aupresses.org/events-a-conferences/annual-meeting/aupresses-2019

 


Library Publishing Forum 2020, May 4-6, Worcester, MA
March 27, 2019

UMass Med School selected as the host for the 2020 Library Publishing Forum

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The formal announcement about next year’s Forum dates and location will be made at this year’s Forum, but to get the information out as soon as possible (and because we are just too excited to keep it to ourselves), we are letting the community know that, after an open call for proposals, the University of Massachusetts Medical School has been selected as the host for the 2020 Library Publishing Forum. Next year’s Forum will take place May 4-6 on UMass Med School’s campus in Worcester, MA.

Statement from University of Massachusetts Medical School:

“UMass Med School’s Lamar Soutter Library is excited to host the scholarly publishing community and promote the values of open and sustainable scholarship, diversity, and inclusivity in library publishing. The 2020 Forum will be held  in the Albert Sherman Center (ASC), the newest education and research building on the UMMS campus.

Lamar Soutter Library manages eScholarship@UMMS, the open access digital archive and publishing system for the UMMS community. Hosting the Forum will expose participants to the pivotal work in medical library publishing being accomplished at UMMS.

Thank you for the honor of hosting this international conference. We look forward to providing a venue of ease, stimulating and provocative scholarly publishing topics, and the opportunity to highlight a city steeped in history, diversity, and contemporary living. UMMS is excited to bring the ‘heart of the Commonwealth’ to the 2020 Forum.”

Statement from LPC:

“We are delighted to join the UMass Med School Lamar Soutter Library in bringing the 2020 Library Publishing Forum to a new geographic region, full of innovative library publishers. The 2020 Forum will be a fantastic opportunity to strengthen connections across our community of practice and to learn from UMMS’s leadership in medical library publishing. The LPC sincerely thanks UMass Med School for hosting next year’s Forum!”

We look forward to seeing you all in Worcester next year!


March 8, 2019

Help us livestream the 2019 Library Publishing Forum!

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Help us livestream the 2019 Library Publishing Forum! Volunteers needed. No experience required, training provided. @LibPubCoalition. #LPForum19. http://bit.ly/lpforum19_livestream. Library Publishing Coalition.

In order to make our program more accessible to members of the community who cannot attend in person, the LPC Program Committee has decided once again to livestream the 2019 Library Publishing Forum. We’re seeking interested volunteers to join us in a coordinated effort to capture and stream conference sessions live to Twitter (via Twitter’s livestreaming platform, Periscope).

Here’s how this will work:

  • If you have a smartphone that you can use to capture and stream sessions to Twitter, and if you are interested in joining us in this effort, please let us know your name and contact information via this form by Monday, April 8. Please note that we will have access to campus wifi, so you will not be required to use your wireless data connection for this.
  • Educopia’s communications manager will send a training manual to each volunteer and will be available to answer any questions before and during the conference. If a volunteer would like additional training ahead of the conference, one-on-one training sessions can be arranged.
  • Educopia will provide tripods and microphones in each room to improve the quality of the streaming.
  • Each volunteer will receive their livestreaming assignments (including session, room number and location, tweet text, and presenters) via email the week before the conference. We will take volunteer preferences for livestreaming assignments into account whenever possible.
  • We will only stream presentations where the presenter has given us permission to do so.

We hope you’ll consider helping us make this year’s Forum more accessible and inclusive by volunteering to livestream sessions! Please do sign up if you’re interested, or feel free to email Hannah Ballard (hannah@educopia.org) if you have any questions or concerns.

Volunteer


Promo image for 2019 Forum
March 6, 2019

Preliminary program for the Library Publishing Forum is live!

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The preliminary program for the 2019 Library Publishing Forum is now available, with titles and presenter names for all sessions.  Abstracts and other details will follow later this month.  As you can see, we have a ton of fantastic sessions from a wide range of presenters, as well as a couple of optional lunchtime meetups. We are also delighted to announce that the Forum reception on Thursday evening (May 9) will be held at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art!

Past Forum attendees may note a difference in this year’s program, with four concurrent sessions in each time slot. This is an experiment by the Program Committee to balance the limitations of space and time with the many excellent proposals which were submitted. We look forward to hearing the community’s feedback on this setup to inform the program for future Forums!

View the Preliminary Program