SPARC introduces Open-access Journal Publishing Resource Index

[Jennifer McLennan <jennifer@arl.org>]

For immediate release
May 26, 2011

For more information, contact:
Jennifer McLennan
(202) 296-2296
jennifer [at] arl [dot] org

SPARC introduces Open-access Journal Publishing Resource Index
New resource helps streamline launch and operation of open-access 
journals

Washington, D.C. -- SPARC (the Scholarly Publishing and Academic 
Resources Coalition) today released a free online Open Access 
Journal Publishing Resource Index with information and documents 
to support the launch and operation of an open-access journal. 
Materials in the index will help libraries, presses, and other 
academic units on campuses as they work together to make the work 
of their researchers more widely available.

This new resource is launched in conjunction with the SPARC 
Campus-based Publishing Resource Center 
(http://www.arl.org/sparc/partnering), which delivers a guide to 
critical issues in campus-based publishing partnerships, case 
studies, a bibliography and resource list, an index of 
collaborative initiatives (operated in partnership with Columbia 
University Libraries), and access to the LIBPRESS online 
discussion forum (operated by the University of California). The 
Center is overseen by an editorial board representing library and 
university press staff who are actively engaged in creating and 
managing publishing partnerships.

The new index complements the rich existing resource center by 
pointing to relevant sections in existing open-access journal 
publishing guides and to sample journal proposals, policies, 
bylaws, and other documentation to help with planning, 
development, and collaboration issues. Topics covered include:

* New Journal Planning
* Journal Publishing Program Policies
* Governance
* Editorial
* Marketing & Promotion
* Technical Platforms
* Sustainability Planning

Relevant sections of existing open-access publishing guides, 
including those by David Solomon, Carol Sutton, Kevin Stranack, 
Jan Velterop, Howard Goldstein and Raym Crow, and others are 
indicated under each topic area.

By highlighting samples and best practices, the index will help 
give campuses the tools they need to develop and maintain 
long-term, successful open-access publishing ventures. "As 
campus-based publishing gets more ambitious in scope, it's 
important to build on the successes and challenges of earlier 
initiatives and adopt best practices," said Raym Crow, senior 
consultant at SPARC. "Ultimately, campus-based publishing can 
offer universities greater control over the intellectual products 
they help create. SPARC is pleased to provide another tool to 
support libraries and publishers in sustainable, professional, 
open-access publishing."

Lee C. Van Orsdel, Dean of University Libraries at Grand Valley 
State University, says faculty are beginning to consult 
librarians for advice on journal publishing options, including 
open-access models, and the SPARC site is a welcome resource. 
"We're deepening our knowledge as quickly as possible, but it's a 
whole new area of expertise for most of us," she said. "It will 
save us time and increase the probability that we can get to the 
right solution when advising our faculty on their best options."

The editorial board invites contributions from other campuses to 
help build this resource and expand the bibliography -- 
especially with primary research papers on collaboration issues. 
"SPARC hopes this will seed an effort where people will give 
documents to share, making it a community hub," said Crow. 
Members of the board and how to contact the managing editor with 
suggestions are detailed on the Center home page.

The Open Access Journal Publishing Resource Index is available 
online at http://www.arl.org/sparc/partnering.

###

SPARC
SPARC (Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition), 
with SPARC Europe and SPARC Japan, is an international alliance 
of more than 800 academic and research libraries working to 
create a more open system of scholarly communication. SPARC's 
advocacy, educational and publisher partnership programs 
encourage expanded dissemination of research.



-------------------------------------
Jennifer McLennan
Director of Programs & Operations
SPARC
jennifer@arl.org
(202) 296-2296 x121
Fax: (202) 872-0884
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermclennan
http://www.arl.org/sparc