Research Article (Preprint): “Libraries as Content Producers: How Library Publishing Services Address the Reading Experience”
The following full text article (preprint) has been approved for publication in the May 2017 issue of College & Research Libraries.
Title
Libraries as Content Producers: How Library Publishing Services Address the Reading Experience
Author
Daniel G Tracy
University of Illinois
Source
C&RL Website
Abstract
This study establishes baseline information about the ways library publishing services integrate user studies of their readers, and common barriers to doing so. The Library Publishing Coalition defines library publishing as “the set of activities led by college and university libraries to support the creation, dissemination, and curation of scholarly, creative, and/or educational works.” This area includes traditional as well as novel publication types. Results suggest that discussions of library publishing underrepresent engagement with readers, but that ample room for increased attention remains. Existing reader-related efforts vary widely and may in some cases be happenstance. These efforts also face key barriers in lack of prioritization, lack of expertise, and lack of control of out-of-the-box platforms.
Direct to Full Text Article (Preprint; 50 pages; PDF)
Filed under: Academic Libraries, Libraries, News, Publishing

About Gary Price
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area. He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.