The Rutgers open access policy goes into effect. Faculty reaction and implementation lessons learned

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/LM-10-2017-0105
Date14 January 2019
Pages59-73
Published date14 January 2019
AuthorJane Johnson Otto,Laura Bowering Mullen
Subject MatterLibrary & information science,Librarianship/library management,HR in libraries,Library strategy,Library promotion
The Rutgers open access policy
goes into effect
Faculty reaction and implementation
lessons learned
Jane Johnson Otto
Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA, and
Laura Bowering Mullen
Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
Abstract
Purpose From laying the groundwork for the successful passage of a university-wide open access (OA)
policy, through the development and planning that goes into a successful implementation, to Day Onewhen
the official university policy goes into effect, there is a long list of factors that affect faculty interest,
participation and compliance. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach The authors, Mullen and Otto, having detailed earlier aspects of the
Rutgers University OA policy passage and implementation planning, analyze and share the specifics that
followed the rollout of the policy and that continue to affect participation.
Findings This case study presents some strategies and systems used to enhance author self-archiving in
the newly minted Scholarly Open Access at Rutgers (SOAR) portal of the Rutgers institutional repository,
including involvement of departmental liaison librarians, effective presentation of metrics and a focus on
targeted communication with faculty.
Originality/value Roadblocks encountered as faculty began to deposit their scholarship and lessons
learned are a focus. Early reaction from faculty and graduate students (doctoral students and postdocs) to
various aspects of the policy as well as the use of SOAR for depositing their work are included.
Keywords Open access, Library liaisons, Open access policies, Rutgers university,
Scholarly communication, University faculty
Paper type Case study
1. Background and context surrounding the Rutgers open access policy and
its implementation
Passing and implementing a university-wide open access (OA) policy is indeed a complex
process, requiring sustained attention to communication with stakeholders, ongoing
development and enhancement of repository systems, provision of incentives for faculty
and student compliance and participation, and the continuing dedication of at least a small
cadre of repository developers, OA specialists, eager participants and advocates. At Rutgers
University in the USA, the authors have presented and published two previous case studies.
The first was a report of librarians as change agents,working to successfully pass an OA
policy university wide via a Rutgers Senate action and vote in 2012. (Mullen and Otto, 2014)
The second was a detailed plan for all aspects of the implementation of the Rutgers OA
policy via Scholarly Open Access at Rutgers (SOAR), a new portal and set of services
associated with RUcore, the Rutgers University Community Repository, a Fedora
installation. (Mullen and Otto, 2015). At the present time, in mid-2017, the Rutgers OA policy
and SOAR are moving forward, even as certain challenges and opportunities continue to
present themselves. The research services environment that exists around university OA
initiatives has also evolved from the early days of outreach and education that existed in
2011 prior to the passing of the Rutgers OA policy. A few years out from their initial efforts,
the authors are now in a position to offer perspective on the wider institutional OA
landscape and to discuss some lessons learned. While committed to the success of SOAR
Library Management
Vol. 40 No. 1/2, 2019
pp. 59-73
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-10-2017-0105
Received 17 October 2017
Accepted 24 December 2017
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
59
Rutgers OA
policy

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