Why Discovery is a Mess
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The document discusses the challenges of content discovery in the publishing and library technology sectors, emphasizing the disparity between user and librarian preferences. It highlights the complexities of accessing open access articles and the increasing role of platforms like Sci-Hub. Recommendations are provided for improving collaboration between libraries and technology companies to enhance the discoverability of open access journals.
Why Discovery is a Mess
- 1. Simon Inger Consulting Why Discovery is a Mess STM Digital Publishing
- 2. Me:
- 3. www.simoningerconsulting.com 1996 Springer had RedSage Elsevier had completed TULiP program CatchWord had its launch clients HighWire had its launch clients Wiley contracted with a division of Mitsubishi to build its first platform Bill Gates said “Content is King” – Which got a lot of publishers excited
- 4. www.simoningerconsulting.com Content is King vs Context is King Content Every publisher Both EBSCO, ProQuest, Elsevier (Scopus), ACS (CAS), NIH (PMC/PubMed) Context Google / Scholar PubMed Libraries
- 5. www.simoningerconsulting.com Multiple incarnations Then Primary incarnation on publisher platform Maybe secondary incarnation (embargoed) in aggregator database Now Primary incarnation on publisher platform Aggregator Institutional repository Subject repository ResearchGate SciHub
- 7. www.simoningerconsulting.com Over half of downloads are free!
- 8. www.simoningerconsulting.com With some variation by country
- 9. www.simoningerconsulting.com The Rise of Library Technology Libraries want to be the starting point – fear of deskilling and disintermediation – perhaps best qualified on content selection If not the starting point, then link server technology guides along the way – manages multiple incarnations
- 10. Discovery and Delivery Library Web Pages RDS, A&I Link Server/Resolver Target Google ToC Social Media
- 16. www.simoningerconsulting.com The Game so far (level 1) End users don’t have the same discovery tool preferences as librarians – But librarians control much of the navigation and buy the target resources It’s often harder to find Gold OA than Green OA articles if you are operating within a library environment – Making something free on a publisher site often means it becomes no more discoverable by the majority of readers
- 18. www.simoningerconsulting.com Major Players in Discovery Library Technology – Resource Discovery Services Google Scholar / Google A&Is – Clarivate Analytics – Elsevier – EBSCO – ProQuest
- 19. www.simoningerconsulting.com Discovery Options Comprehensive but complicated Fast, simple, free, but not guaranteed Library-focussed but less comprehensive
- 20. www.simoningerconsulting.com Sci-Hub High % of current articles now in Sci-Hub – > 58,000,000 Simple interface, no log-in barrier means it is used by individuals even within subscribing institutions Are big aggregations the answer?
- 21. www.simoningerconsulting.com What to do (the easier stuff) Keep up good relations with major discovery organisations (A&I, Google Scholar, Library RDS vendors) Act on poor download statistics! Work with library technology companies (especially ProQuest and EBSCO) to make sure libraries know how to include OA journals in their indexes – Tell libraries that these journals exist!
- 22. www.simoningerconsulting.com What to do (the bigger stuff) Library tech companies need to cooperate more Need solution to hybrid OA problem Need to improve selection and marketing of OA journals Benefit from more standardised access control Remove barriers not add to them!
- 23. www.simoningerconsulting.com The Problem is Evolving Faster than the Solution