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Program Management & Publishing: Libraries as Publishers: Home

Overview

Libraries as Publishers
LIBRARIES publishing OER may or may not consider themselves a LIBRARY PUBLISHER in the more formal sense. The Library Publishing Coalition defines library publishing as "the set of activities led by academic and research libraries and library consortia to support the creation, dissemination, and curation of scholarly, creative, and/or educational works" and which fulfills these three requirements:
  • includes a production process
  • makes available original work not found elsewhere
  • certifies reliability, either through a review process or an institutional brand

What comprises a production process varies from library publisher to library publisher, but includes processes like proposal intake, repository provision, copyright and open licensing advisement, metadata creation, identifier management, copyediting, design and formatting, accessibility review, peer review, and so on. Program-management level considerations for library publishers include operations management, budget allocation and management, development of editorial policies and production processes, and strategic planning.

Libraries as Publishers Topics

Clearly setting up the roles and responsibilities, and clearly defining the workflows and overall timelines are all necessary setup work for setting program operations on a productive course.

Common Operations Tasks

  • Recruit advisors, volunteers, and student employees to supplement assigned staff
  • Define roles and responsibilities within the publishing team
  • Establish the editorial workflows, including submission, review, and revision processes
  • Implement a project management system to track progress and deadlines
  • Set up regular communication channels among team members (Check-ins, project management system, shared calendars, etc.)
  • Locate existing and/or develop bespoke templates and guidelines for manuscript preparation and submission
  • Create an overall timeline for publication cycles
  • Documentation for all processes

Further Reading
 

The more unique aspects of resource allocation and budgeting for library publishers includes allocating resources across publishing projects prone to delays, and sustaining consistency in operations despite diverse and unpredictable funding sources. 

Common Resource Allocation & Budgeting Tasks

•    Identifying diversified funding sources and partnerships
•    Develop an annual budget for the publishing program.
•    Identify potential funding sources, including grants and institutional support.
•    Allocate resources for staffing, technology, marketing, and distribution
•    Track expenses and ensure they align with the budget.
•    Secure funding for specific projects, such as new publications.
•    Conduct financial forecasting for long-term sustainability.
•    Implement cost-saving measures where possible.
•    Prepare financial reports for stakeholders.

Further Reading

 

Editorial and production tasks at a library publisher benefit from clear policies, repeatable workflows, robust training procedures, and great documentation.

Common Editorial and Production Tasks

•    Establish guidelines for proposal and manuscript submission and formatting
•    Coordinate the peer review process to ensure quality
•    Establish content editing and revision workflows
•    Manage any aesthetics related to the design and layout of publications
•    Establish culture of early and frequent quality control checks 
•    Develop policy to enforce accessibility standards
•    Set up engine for final publication, consistent metadata application, archiving, distribution in various channels, and promotion

Further Reading

 

Strategic planning processes result in long-term goals for the publishing program and ensure that it aligns with both the library’s and institution's broader mission and priorities. Engaging with stakeholders, including faculty, authors, and the academic community, build up the social capital and support that brings stability and good reputation to library publishers.

Strategic Planning & Stakeholder Engagement Tasks

  • Developing a strategic plan that aligns with institutional goals and the library’s mission
  • Setting a course for a coherent approach to branding, promotion, marketing, and outreach
  • Securing buy-in from stakeholders like administrators and faculty
  • Set measurable objectives for the publishing program
  • Conducting periodic assessments of the program’s effectiveness and impact
  • Gathering feedback from stakeholders for innovation and continual improvement
  • Identifying emerging trends in academic publishing and keeping the program current and adaptable
  • Reporting on the program’s progress to institutional leadership, and celebrating accomplishments and recognitions
  • Setting priorities for future projects and initiatives

Further Reading