Open Access : Who pays for OA?. Helen Doyle, Andy Gass, Rebecca Kennison, Who Pays for Open Access? PLoS Biology, April 13, 2004. The first in a series of responses to widespread misunderstandings about OA. Excerpt: "Here we address...the perception that the publication-charge model puts an unfair burden on authors. Subsequently, we will address concerns about the long-term economic viability of the open-access model, the integrity and quality of work published in open-access journals, and the effect that open access will have on scholarly societies....Perhaps the real misconception about the unfair burden that open access places on authors resides in the terminology—the term 'author charge' is itself misleading. Publication fees are not borne purely by authors, but are shared by the many organizations whose missions depend on the broadest possible dissemination and communication of scientific discoveries." [Open Access News]  8:49:23 AM   [Feedback ]  

Weblogs : Blogs centralized at the university library? Why? Why Not!!.

An interesting article about weblogs in the university community. I just wonder how many libraries will follow the lead of great projects like UThink and take charge in the weblog world in their institution. Which begs the question: Is it necessary for libraries to do this? Anyone can start a weblog. Why have the library (which is normally overworked and understaffed) start these initiatives?

Here's a reason (and I'm sure you guys can think of more - feel free to comment below). Because weblogs are a collection of ideas, classroom activities, professorial communications, (and much more), which needs to be centralized at the university. Doesn't it? The library (especially the "digital library", however that is being defined these days) collects materials, online and off. Why aren't blogs from the students, faculty, and staff that encompass the university community factored into this equation.

Another aspect are the archiving principles involved. Interesting topic, one that will hopefully be brought up at a future conference... [Library Stuff]

  8:02:08 AM   [Feedback ]