NEWS
Open research needs library support
LIBRARIANS and researchers from across the world are working together on a project that could help unify Open Scholarship for the digital age.
The Open Scholarship Strategy brings together HE librarians and researchers to look at opportunities and challenges in Open Research – the broad term for research that is conducted in the spirit of openness. The idea is that data sets as well as research outcomes are released to the research community, enabling others to replicate and build on research. The ethos echoes open-source technolo- gy and is widely regarded as beneficial. The Open Scholarship Strategy assesses
the current position of Open Research and will look to build on that, offering new ways of working with open research and supporting researchers. It has recently produced a first version of its publi- cations, but is looking for more input before a final version is released. Fiona Bradley, Scholarly Commun- ications Librarian at University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Austra- lia, and part of the project’s drafting committee, said: “The purpose of this document is to provide a concise anal- ysis of where the global Open Scholar-
ship movement currently stands: what the common threads and strengths are, where the greatest opportunities and challenges lie, and how we can more effectively work together as a global community to recog- nise the top strategic priorities.” The document, which is available in a variety of formats, includes the opportunity for library and information professionals to contribute directly through GitHub. The team is keen to hear from contributors from all regions and will produce a final draft by the end of the year, based on com- ments received over the next few months. The report highlights a multi-disci- plinary approach to Open Scholarship, but points to librarians and libraries as being crucial advocates and drivers of change. It points to actions that can be taken – from individuals right up to national and inter- national organisations – saying stakehold- ers across the board need to act to push the movement forward. “Research funders and libraries hold
most of the purse strings,” according to the report’s authors, “and further engage- ment on this front is essential, especially in defining their relative roles in devel- oping or funding scholarly infrastructure. Simply channelling more money into the existing system, with perverse incentives
and skewed power dynamics, is clearly no longer sustainable for research.” The notion that open access publishing
is changing the face of research is another driver for the project. And while it is keen to see a shift in the research publishing model, it also recognises the importance of publishers in helping to deliver change. Ultimately, it sees all the current stake- holders having a place in the new model but recognises that there will not necessarily be consensus as to the best way of working. It says: “There is clearly a need for dif- ferent fields to discuss what is culturally appropriate for themselves; however, this strategy can provide a foundation for guid- ing those discussions. “With this, one of the principle goals for
this strategy is to create communities that reciprocally support each other through learning and training. These communi- ties will have the best insight into real life barriers, and how to overcome them, and be able to identify new realities at the dif- ferent hierarchical levels, which can then be incorporated into decision making pro- cesses.”
l To read the full document visit
https://bit.ly/2Cn551X and to collaborate visit
https://github.com/Open-Scholarship-Strategy/site.
Tech solutions for partially sighted users
GLASGOW Libraries has enlisted the help of visual impairment volunteers to help blind and partially sighted people make the most of their local library. The Digi-PALS volunteers will work with library users to introduce them to digital accessibility technology that is available across the city’s libraries. This includes Zoomtext readers, enhance and read aloud technology on computers and high visibility keyboards. Fraser Fleming was diagnosed with diabetic retinop-
athy, which has led to sight loss. He has been involved in accessible skills technology training for a number of years and signed up as a volunteer to help others. The technology can be expensive for individuals,
so offering it through libraries allows more people to make use of it. Fraser said: “I heard Glasgow Libraries were looking for volunteers who could support visually impaired people to use JAWS and Zoomtext technology in the city’s libraries. Because I know how to use these pieces of equipment, and can see the many life chang- ing benefits they provide, I was keen to volunteer.”
September 2018
Fraser Fleming and guide dog Mercer at Glasgow’s Mitchell Library. INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 5
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