Complementary Skills, Resources, and Missions: Best Practices in Developing Library-Press Collaborations Library Relations Committee, Association of American University Presses Abstract
Joint Projects to Understand the Scope of Publishing Activity on Campus Benefit All
Collaboration, not Duplication
In 2012, the AAUP surveyed library directors, deans, university librarians, and university press directors with the objective of mapping similarities and differences in operational and financial structures as well as practical differences.
69% of respondents indicated that library publishing initiatives should complement press publishing programs, rather than reinventing (or duplicating) a service for formal peer-reviewed literature. In what ways should the scope and activities of a library publishing program differ from that of a university press?
42 library leaders and 41 university press directors responded to a set of 32 questions that could be answered by either audience. In 2013, followup interviews were conducted with 22% of the respondents, focusing on the “why” of library publishing services, and requesting additional detail on certain aspects of library-press relationships.
65% of respondents said library publishing programs are an increasingly important service. 62% of all respondents to this question (77% library; 34% press) agreed that publishing should be part of the library’s mission. Presses must imagine a way of engaging with these and other emerging publishers on campus.
70%
50% 45%
60%
40% Percentage of Respondents
Library Publishing Services on the Rise
Has your institution identified other publishing programs on campus or throughout the system (beyond press or library publishing activity)?
80%
Percentage of Respondents
The survey results and analysis and excerpts from interviews were released in January 2014.
Respondents from both libraries and presses indicated some knowledge of many on-campus publishing operations, but few had a sense of number or scale. Recognize where these operations present opportunities for collaboration.
50% 40% 30%
35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5%
20%
0% Yes, list available
10%
No, but info available from formal campus sources
No, but good info available informally
No, info not available
0%
Types of Library Publishing Programs or Services Undertaken by Library
Complement press programs
Archives & special collections materials only
Different formats
Different subjects & formats
Different subjects
Percentage of Respondents
90%
Engagement on Broad Range of Scholarly Communication Issues Essential
80% 70% 60% 50%
Looking Beyond the Financial Figures at In-Kind Support Reveals Greater Interdependency Than Usually Acknowledged
95% of respondents saw a need for presses and libraries to engage with each other on issues facing scholarly publishing and communication beyond the usual issues of open access, fair use, and copyright. Common interests—such as how to best serve scholars—rather than areas of divergence, would be fruitful topics of discussion. Possible and current areas of engagement include:
40% 30% 20% 10% 0%
While only 11% of respondents reported direct cash support being provided by the library to the press, more than 53% of libraries reported providing other services, including digitization, metadata, hosting and IT services, office support, and rent-free space. Other Resources Provided to Presses by Libraries 50% 45%
*Independently or with other departments
Percentage of Respondents
What steps might libraries and scholarly publishers take to better understand each other’s needs and audiences? 100%
Percentage of Respondents
Are these increasingly important services for your library? 70% 60% 50% 40% 30%
Percentage of Respondents
90% 80% 70% 60% 50%
Library Should
40%
40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%
Press Should
30% 20% 10%
20%
0%
10% 0% Yes, increasingly important
Level of importance steady
No, other priorities Library does not provide becoming more important publishing services
Talk with each other about issues specific to press/library models.
Talk open access, copyright, fair Invite staff to serve on boards, Attend conferences (AAUP, ALA) use with each other committees
The complete report, with follow-up interviews, “Press and Library Collaboration Survey,” is available at http://www.aaupnet.org/resources/for-members/data-collection-and-analysis/library-press-collaboration-survey Special thanks to Julia Blixrud of the Association of Research Libraries for her support and assistance with this project.