The document discusses the establishment of open-access.net, an international information platform for promoting open access in academic publishing, particularly in Germany. It highlights the need for a centralized resource to support researchers, universities, and institutions in navigating open access policies and practices. The platform aims to enhance collaboration and information dissemination through partnerships with institutions across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as translating resources into English to broaden its reach.

1. The Library of the
University of Konstanz
Fostering Open Access by a new international
information platform
Anja Kersting, Karlheinz Pappenberger
Library of the University of Konstanz
Germany
Presented at the ETD 2008, 11th International Symposium on
Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 5th June 2008, Aberdeen

2. open-access.net
Outline
1. The need of a central information platform
2. Open access policy in Germany
3. The emergence of the information platform open-access.net
4. Internationalization of open-access.net
5. Establishing an international network on open access
Anja Kersting, Karlheinz Pappenberger – Library of the University of Konstanz ETD 2008, 5th June, Aberdeen
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3. open-access.net
1. The need of a central information platform
• Who knows all about open access?
• Example: Doctoral students want to publish their dissertation
- Institutional repository mostly well known, but often recommended as
technical solution only
- He/her will scarcely find out that electronic publishing is part of a greater
open access movement
- No consultancy on hybrid publication models that are particularly
interesting in arts and humanities
Electronic dissertation seen as quick technical possibility to fulfil the
duty of publishing
Anja Kersting, Karlheinz Pappenberger – Library of the University of Konstanz ETD 2008, 5th June, Aberdeen
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4. open-access.net
1. The need of a central information platform
• Example: Heads of universities who want to enhance electronic
publications
- Vague awareness of the open access movement
- Mostly: Failure integrating electronic disserations into the concept of
open access
Information lack on open access + on the increasing visibility
of content in repositories as a result of projects like DRIVER
Information platform open-access.net
Anja Kersting, Karlheinz Pappenberger – Library of the University of Konstanz ETD 2008, 5th June, Aberdeen
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5. open-access.net
2. Open access policy in Germany
• Berlin Declaration 2003 signed by many institutions
• German Rectors Conference (HRK), alliance of research
organisations: supporting open access
• German Research Foundation (DFG): Encouraging scientists to
publish open access their results originating from DFG-grants
As a consequence:
• Increasing relevance of open access nationwide
• Perceived request on structured and actual information on open
access by universities, research institutions and policy makers
Anja Kersting, Karlheinz Pappenberger – Library of the University of Konstanz ETD 2008, 5th June, Aberdeen
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6. open-access.net
3. The emergence of the information platform open-access.net
• Experience at the University of Konstanz and other institutions:
- Scientists: Vague idea about open access, but uncertainty in detail
- Repositories often seen as second best publication place only
- Reluctant use of open access offers
• Broad and precise information important for many groups
• Advantage of a common offer seen
• Nationwide information platform, funded by the
German Research Foundation, started in May 2007
Anja Kersting, Karlheinz Pappenberger – Library of the University of Konstanz ETD 2008, 5th June, Aberdeen
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7. open-access.net
The main content of the information platform open-access.net
• Structured overview on the nature and progress of open access
• Group specific information
• Scientists as authors or editors of journals
• Repository managers
• Universities, research institutions, libraries, publishing houses
• Discipline-related information (biology, economics, physics…)
• News, calendar about conferences, mailing list
Anja Kersting, Karlheinz Pappenberger – Library of the University of Konstanz ETD 2008, 5th June, Aberdeen
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8. open-access.net
Anja Kersting, Karlheinz Pappenberger – Library of the University of Konstanz ETD 2008, 5th June, Aberdeen
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9. open-access.net
4. Internationalization of open-access.net
• Second phase of development of the platform
from May 2008 to October 2009
• Expansion I: Collaboration with institutions in Austria and
Switzerland (from May 2008) and adding country specific content
• Expansion II: Translation of the platform into English
Start of the new designed parallel German and English platform in
October 2008
• Expansion III: Involving national experts on open access of
different countries
Adding several more countries with specific content until
Oktober 2009
Anja Kersting, Karlheinz Pappenberger – Library of the University of Konstanz ETD 2008, 5th June, Aberdeen
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10. open-access.net
5. Establishing an international network on open access
• Experience at the University of Konstanz:
• University executive is active to promote open access within the
university and beyond
• But also: University executive is highly interested in conjoint policies on
open access with renowned national and international institutions
• Plan for the second project phase (May 2008 to October 2009):
Establishing a network of persons responsible for open
access at their institutions
Support in strategic decision making to foster local,
national and international open access policies
Anja Kersting, Karlheinz Pappenberger – Library of the University of Konstanz ETD 2008, 5th June, Aberdeen
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11. open-access.net
5. Establishing an international network on open access
• Beginning in Germany
• 18.6.2008: First workshop for open access specialists
• 19.6.2008: First meeting of the advisory board of the platform
to establish a network on open access for decision makers
• Internationalization of the network from October 2008
• Cooperation with other national and international existing groups
and networks in the area of open access and repositories:
e.g. OA-Netzwerk in Germany and DRIVER in Europe
• Integrating specialists and precursors on open access worldwide
Anja Kersting, Karlheinz Pappenberger – Library of the University of Konstanz ETD 2008, 5th June, Aberdeen
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12. The Library of the
University of Konstanz
information platform
open-access.net
Thank you very much for your
attention
Karlheinz Pappenberger
contact: Karlheinz.Pappenberger@uni-konstanz.de