Keywords
Open access, repositories, libraries, coordinated action
Description
Disruptive changes are transforming the scholarly communications environment. In an era of false reporting and fake news, quality information and verifiable data is essential. However, much of the world’s best publicly funded research remains hidden behind commercial publisher paywalls. Unlocking this research can help solve the world’s greatest research and social challenges, and result in a more informed society. This paper will explore how, within the Australian context, librarians are seeking to make research more findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable (FAIR). The Australasian Open Access Strategy Group (AOASG) and the Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL) have worked on a range of initiatives to improve the openness of research including the establishment and implementation of the F.A.I.R. Policy Statement – www.fair-access.net.au/fair-statement. The statement was created through consultation with a range of stakeholders, including government and funding agencies, providing opportunities for libraries to demonstrate leadership. A range of projects under a new CAUL Program for Fair, affordable and open access to knowledge, have been established. These include an improved repository environment, an exploration of researchers retaining rights to their research, and the consistent collection of open access costs. The AOASG is undertaking a communication campaign to increase awareness of the benefits of open access, establish communities of practice, and to progress critical areas for development through a range of complimentary projects. This paper will outline how strategic partnership, collaboration and leadership within the Australian library context can address challenges globally, resulting in a better information environment for all. The paper and presentation will aim to encourage coordinated innovation among stakeholders to progress the open access movement in similar ways the world over.
F.A.I.R. is fair for research: Australian initaitves to improve openness in the scholarly communications environment
Disruptive changes are transforming the scholarly communications environment. In an era of false reporting and fake news, quality information and verifiable data is essential. However, much of the world’s best publicly funded research remains hidden behind commercial publisher paywalls. Unlocking this research can help solve the world’s greatest research and social challenges, and result in a more informed society. This paper will explore how, within the Australian context, librarians are seeking to make research more findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable (FAIR). The Australasian Open Access Strategy Group (AOASG) and the Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL) have worked on a range of initiatives to improve the openness of research including the establishment and implementation of the F.A.I.R. Policy Statement – www.fair-access.net.au/fair-statement. The statement was created through consultation with a range of stakeholders, including government and funding agencies, providing opportunities for libraries to demonstrate leadership. A range of projects under a new CAUL Program for Fair, affordable and open access to knowledge, have been established. These include an improved repository environment, an exploration of researchers retaining rights to their research, and the consistent collection of open access costs. The AOASG is undertaking a communication campaign to increase awareness of the benefits of open access, establish communities of practice, and to progress critical areas for development through a range of complimentary projects. This paper will outline how strategic partnership, collaboration and leadership within the Australian library context can address challenges globally, resulting in a better information environment for all. The paper and presentation will aim to encourage coordinated innovation among stakeholders to progress the open access movement in similar ways the world over.