OA Now

[Heather Morrison <heatherm@eln.bc.ca>]

Richard Feinman wrote:

[snip]

The question finally evolved to the important question as to 
whether a library would subscribe to a journal whose content was 
on-line and the conclusion was generally no although there would 
be some exceptions (oddly, like Science and Nature).  I think it 
is obvious but the current paradox is that libraries are forced 
to do this although in a time-dependent manner, that is, after 
three-months the diabetes journals, for example, are on-line even 
though libraries had previously subscribed.

I know I am saying the obvious but the bottom line is that 
libraries are supporting a model that they would not normally 
support if they didn't have to.

[snip]

Richard, you have raised many interesting points - for today, I'd 
like to focus on the idea of library support for old and new 
models.

I am seeing many signs that libraries are in the process of 
finding ways to support new models for scholarly publishing, 
particularly open access.

For example, many libraries have memberships to BioMedCentral, 
and Public Library of Science, and actively encourage faculty 
members to publish in these venues.

Finding new ways of providing support for scholarly publications 
will be an exciting challenge for librarians.  The skills 
developed in the course of purchasing access to electronic 
resources (e.g. developing new models - particularly for the 
consortial types - and negotiating) will be critical in 
developing new models for open access.  I anticipate that many a 
liblicenser will play an important role in the transition 
process.

Many libraries are also supporting faculty in the transition to 
open access more directly through open access publishing 
ventures.  See, for example, the posting:  University of 
Tennessee Libraries Launch an All-OA Academic Press, on Open 
Access News at: 
http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2006_03_05_fosblogarchive.html#

Richard's full message, OA Now, can be found at:
http://www.library.yale.edu/~llicense/ListArchives/0603/msg00126.html

a personal view by,

Heather Morrison
http://poeticeconomics.blogspot.com