The internationalization of the Library Publishing movement

editorial experiences of libraries from North to global South

Abstract

The study addresses the international Library Publishing movement, that is, the publishing activities conducted by university libraries around the world, highlighting the emerging role of these institutions as producers and disseminators of scientific knowledge. The context presented highlights the repositioning of libraries in the face of transformations in scientific communication, driven by digital technologies and the crisis of commercial publishing models, which has led these institutions to take on strategic publishing functions, especially to join in the advocacy for the Open Access movement.

The general objective is to investigate the internationalization of the Library Publishing movement, presenting how collaborative networks and institutional initiatives have been promoting the strengthening and articulation of academic libraries in their own publishing projects. To this end, the research employs a bibliographic and documentary methodology with a qualitative approach, emphasizing the content analysis of publications indexed in national and international databases, as well as institutional documents from the Library Publishing Coalition, the main library network catalyzing this movement.

The study's theoretical basis traces the historical trajectory of the relationship between libraries and publishing, highlighting milestones such as the creation of the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC) and projects such as DSpace and Open Journal Systems (OJS), which have enabled libraries to take on a more active role in electronic publishing and scientific publication. The formation of the Library Publishing Coalition in 2013 is highlighted as a structuring element for the consolidation of an international community focused on Library Publishing, promoting events, guidelines, professional training, and support tools. Its joint action with the IFLA Special Interest Group on Library Publishing (IFLA LibPub SIG) has significantly increased the visibility of publishing libraries, culminating in the creation of a global map of Library Publishing programs.

The article also presents publishing experiences in university libraries in different regions. In Europe, the hybrid models developed in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, in partnership with university publishers and open science networks, stand out. In the Global South, projects in South Africa are highlighted, with emphasis on the University of Cape Town's continental platform, and in Australia, where libraries manage award-winning publishers such as ANU Press. In Brazil, although still in the early stages of research and practice, the movement is gaining ground with research that maps the potential of librarians as publishers, highlighting structural challenges and the need for greater institutional coordination.

In conclusion, we emphasize that strengthening Library Publishing requires recognizing libraries as legitimate agents in the scientific publishing chain, investing in technical training, coordinating global collaboration networks, and promoting public policies that financially support these initiatives. The internationalization of the movement is, therefore, a work in progress, requiring attention to regional diversity, overcoming economic barriers, and promoting more inclusive, ethical, and sustainable publishing practices.