The present and future of research libraries and scholarly publishers are inextricably aligned. Both exist to advance the creation, dissemination, and preservation of a diverse scholarly record; and both are facing existential challenges, particularly in finding sustainable business models to advance open scholarship.  

Join us on May 25th, 2021 from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. Central to explore the shared aims and challenges of research libraries and scholarly publishers and discover how partnerships across professional and disciplinary boundaries are working to find sustainable models to support an open knowledge ecosystem. After an introduction by CRL President Greg Eow, this webinar will look at two innovative library-publisher collaborations, assessing the challenges and opportunities in this space, and ideating future directions.

Global Press Archive Alliance: 

Since 2019, CRL and East View Information Services have partnered to expand open access to world newspapers through the Global Press Archive Charter Alliance. This distinctive partnership combines the deep subject expertise of CRL member institutions with the business and production capabilities of East View to open diverse content for research and teaching. James Simon, CRL’s Director of Collections and Partnerships, will review progress on the three-year Charter Alliance, share lessons learned from phase one, and discuss considerations for a follow-on phase of this successful partnership. 

PLOS Community Action Publishing: 

PLOS is a non-profit, driven by mission, and its recent work on new business models and partnerships with libraries is part of a comprehensive strategy to push the scholarly communications community beyond open access.  

Central to PLOS strategy is the centering of the values of diversity, inclusivity, and equity. PLOS aims to expand its global footprint in locally responsible ways to include the broadest range of their voices in the creation of scholarship, and establish co-creation of paths to Open Science that do not extend and amplify existing power structures. Niamh O’Connor, Chief Publishing Officer, PLOS will talk about PLOS’ strategy for library/publisher collaboration to foster and open knowledge ecosystem.  

Speakers: 

Niamh O’Connor, Chief Publishing Officer, PLOS 

Niamh is Chief Publishing Officer at PLOS, having joined as Journals Publishing Director in 2018. As Chief Publishing Officer she provides business leadership for our entire portfolio ensuring that it has a strong value proposition and advances PLOS’ vision and mission. Prior to PLOS, she was the Director of Publishing at the Biochemical Society/Portland Press, leading strategy development and developing collaborative relationships with Boards, Committees and the wider scientific and publishing communities to broaden engagement and support the molecular bioscience community in transitioning to an Open Science culture. Prior to joining the Biochemical Society she spent nine years at the Royal Society of Chemistry in a variety of publishing roles including Publisher and Editor, where she co-created and implemented journal strategies with Editorial Boards to meet the needs of the evolving global scientific community. She holds a PhD in chemistry from the National University of Ireland (UCC). 

James Simon, Director of Collections and Partnerships, Center for Research Libraries 

James Simon is responsible for coordinating efforts that build and enhance the accessibility of collections and content for CRL members and constituencies. He leads the development and implementation of strategic collection partnerships such as CRL’s Global Resources Partnerships in Law and Government and Science, Technology, and Engineering. He also oversees community-driven programs supported by CRL such as the Area Materials Projects and major content initiatives like the Global Press Archive Alliance. Previously he worked in Washington, D.C, for the International Research & Exchanges Board as Program Officer for scholarly exchanges and partnerships with Russian and Slavic organizations. 

*Greg Eow, President, Center for Research Libraries, Welcoming Remarks