Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
6-28-2021
Citation
American Library Association Science and Technology Section meeting, June 28, 2021.
Abstract
Background: The University of Nebraska-Lincoln University Libraries institutional repository was founded in 2005 on the Digital Commons platform. It currently contains more than 118,000 full-text scholarly works that have been downloaded over 73,000,000 times.
Problem that drove the project: Older scientific literature may only occasionally circulate from university library collections or be purchased by readers from remaindered publishers' stock.
Methods: This research will employ statistical analyses to demonstrate the value of making available four series of scientific literature in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln University Libraries Digital Commons: Insecta Mundi, the Nebraska Bird Review, the Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences, and scientific research from the University of Nebraska State Museum.
Findings: As of February 19, 2021, the materials in the four series include collectively 3,859 items which have been downloaded 1,256,191 times.
Discussion: When older scientific publications are uploaded to an institutional repository, their download numbers can be staggering across all subjects and all years.
Equity, diversity, and inclusion considerations: Uptake in World Bank–designated low- and middle-income (LMI) countries of these materials accounts for approximately 31% of their downloads.
Impact: We will explain what we know about the readership of these materials and make a case for their broad value both within and beyond academia.
ALA-STS poster abstract and data
SG-LF-PR_ALA-STS_poster-script_2021-06-21.pdf (78 kB)
ALA-STS poster script
Included in
International and Intercultural Communication Commons, Life Sciences Commons, Medicine and Health Sciences Commons, Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons, Publishing Commons, Scholarly Communication Commons, Scholarly Publishing Commons, Science and Mathematics Education Commons
Comments
Slides from a lightning talk presented remotely during the American Library Association Science and Technology Section meeting on June 28, 2021. Includes accompanying materials.