NSU Libraries as Publisher
- NSUWorks
- Overcoming resistance
- Streamlining the publishing process
- Open educational resources
- Preserving the past with archival collections
- Highlighting student work
- Managing data
NSUWorks
Acquiring Digital Commons software has allowed Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Libraries to act as a free publisher for its faculty, staff, students and alumni.
Launched as NSUWorks in 2014, the service publishes many types of materials, such as:
- Scholarly works
- Data sets
- Open educational resources
- Monographs
Library staff work closely with users by offering examples and helping them present their work online.
NSUWorks also offers additional services for those who need to do more than simply upload materials for publication. These include:
Journal publishing
- Allows collaboration among editors
- Author submission system
- Peer-review processes
- Support for both subscription and open access journals
Managing conferences and lecture series
- General information
- Schedule
- Presentation details
- Conference materials in various media (PDF, video, etc.)
- Registration
Book authoring
- Formatting assistance
- Help with cover design
- “Buy this Book” buttons for those available in print
- “Find in Your Library” buttons linked to WorldCat
Overcoming resistance
Although online publishing continues to increase in popularity, many in academia still consider print publishing the ideal. Sometimes faculty, staff and students are reluctant to use the school’s free publishing services and open access model.
To address this, NSUWorks’ staff meet with university deans on a regular basis and promote the benefits of online publishing.
An in-depth brochure and an annual report reinforce the publishing opportunities.
Recently, library staff have added value for faculty members published through NSUWorks by creating profile pages for them.
Thanks to these efforts, use of and interest in NSUWorks has expanded since its inception.
Image courtesy of Nova Southeastern University.
