Open Matariki Phase 1, 2017

Read full report here: Open-Matariki-Phase-1-Report-2017-10-17

Phase 1 of the Open Matariki project set out to establish the commonality and differences, and explore potential opportunities, in the ways in which each of the MNU libraries and their universities, and their countries, are working to advance new models of scholarly communication and open access. A survey was conducted and reported upon to share information about the initiatives that each MNU library is undertaking to advance new models of scholarly communications and open access. Based on the information compiled, potential projects were discussed in relation to the Canadian Association of Research Libraries Scholarly Communications Roadmap. This roadmap is guided by the vision of an open, sustainable, effective and innovative scholarly communication system that is governed and managed by the scholarly community, and that reflects a substantial role for academic libraries working in
collaboration with researchers and other stakeholders. The roadmap outlines five strategies:

    1. Increase awareness and engage stakeholders about the benefits of open access and the need for change
    2. Promote and accelerate the adoption of open science policies
    3. Lower the economic barriers to the creation and dissemination of academic publications
    4. Promote the responsible application of impact and productivity measures for research
    5. Expand the types of research outputs that contribute to the formal scholarly communication system

MNU library representatives met at the Matariki Network Humanities Colloquium in Tübingen in October 2017, and discussed the information gathered through the survey and shared at the meeting, and potential joint strategies. The discussions led to agreement to establish an Open Matariki program consisting of three elements:

  1. Awareness and engagement

    MNU member libraries are undertaking multiple methods of raising researcher awareness of publishing options, copyright and authors’ rights and supporting the adoption of open access policies and services. A variety of specific services are of particular interest, such as the implementation of ORCID IDs, selection  criteria for research information systems, assistance with research metrics, development of research data management services, and support for open education resources. It was agreed that it will be beneficial to continue to learn from each other and promote awareness of practices at each MNU institution.

    Action: Create and maintain an Open Matariki web presence that describes the Open Matariki program and links to relevant information resources, events and services at each institution.

  2. Broad principles

    Various jurisdictions and organizations have developed statements of principles or policies relating to sustainable access to research outputs and scholarship, to guide strategic priorities and projects. It was agreed that given the different organizational and national context of each MNU institution, specific policies and principles reside in each institution, and any overarching statement about Open Matariki needs to be very broad and drawn from the MNU vision and mission.

    Action: Develop a broad purpose statement for the Open Matariki program and link to relevant policies and principles at each institution.

  3. Projects

    One of the strengths of the MNU is the diverse contexts of each of its members and thus the international perspectives it provides. This fits well with exploring the scholarly communications landscape: advances will come from examining multiple facets of a variety of issues. It was agreed that Open Matariki is an umbrella for multiple projects that may be pursued by a single institution or a cluster of institutions, always with a view to advancing our collective understanding of scholarly communications, research and teaching and learning across the network. We are “open” in the broadest sense of our interest in sharing and connecting on multiple topics.Proposed action/projects (and more may follow):

    1. Explore how to lower the economic barriers to the creation and dissemination of academic publications, in several projects:
      1. Implications of a flipped subscription model
      2. Measuring the cost and contribution to the scholarly supply chain
      3. Unbundling the big deal
    2. Promote the responsible application of impact and productivity measures for research:
      sharing information on local and regional projects relating to research metrics
    3. Support the production of Open Educational Resources and pilot an open education textbook project
    4. Report on the number of OA publications with MNU co-authors
    5. Develop staff competencies for advancing research services
    6. Explore research-led teaching programs, such as integrating digital humanities into the curriculum
    7. Share strategies and best practices for preservation of digital publications
    8. Explore opportunities for applying information literacy resources/services to support academic efforts to close the gap between high school and university