This blog post was written by Melody Herr, scholarly communications librarian.
It’s International Open Access Week, when we acknowledge the researchers, scholars, teachers, artists, musicians, and writers who make access to knowledge, education, and entertainment more equitable. This week is also an opportunity to recognize that libraries worldwide contribute to open access (OA) by funding publications, managing digital infrastructure, and providing the information management expertise necessary to make content available and discoverable.
In the posts here on 365 McIlroy this week, we will highlight a few of the many ways the University of Arkansas Libraries supports OA, starting with our Journal Publishing Services (JPS). We host a diverse collection of journals showcasing U of A research and creative work in our institutional repository ScholarWorks@UARK. By making their articles OA, these journals enable all of us to share information and inspiration. In addition, they support student success and advance the U of A land-grant mission.
Discovery and Inquiry give undergraduate researchers an opportunity to share their work and get experience with scholarly publishing. The literary magazine Diamond Line features artwork, poems, essays, and stories. In addition to bringing undergraduate artists and writers an audience, it gives students in the class that produces it experience as journal editors.
Other journals provide practical information for researchers and working professionals. For example, attorneys and law professors consult the Arkansas Law Review and the Journal of Food Law & Policy. The Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science publishes articles on the land, plants, and animals of our region that appeal to both researchers and nature enthusiasts. Of course, we must also mention the Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference, which brings together researchers and industry experts who share the latest discoveries about poultry nutrition.
The Journal Publishing Services team works behind the scenes to make these and other journals openly available on the web. We host the digital platform and guide new editors through the complexities of publishing a quality journal. And we offer our services free of charge so that, in turn, the journals don’t have to charge readers.
We invite you to browse the list of our journals. If you are starting a new journal or you’re looking for an easier way to manage a current journal, check out our JPS webpage. We look forward to your visit!