Update and Tips

The due date for the major projects is now June 22nd for everyone. 

If you are doing a subject guide, look at the DOAJ subject lists.  Each subject has a URL that links directly to a list of journals for that topic - very handy for a subject guide, a list of scholarly, peer-reviewed journals that is constantly updated.  For example, here is the list for DOAJ Library and Information Science.

Perhaps there is a repository that is particularly relevant?  (This is more true in some disciplines than others, for example in librarianship we have E-LIS and other disciplinary archives).  For a thoroughly vetted list of OA archives, see Open DOAR. 

Consider providing information for your target audience about how to learn about and/or support open access.  Anyone can support OA policy initiatives, for example.  If your audience is researchers, how can they make their own work open access?

Marks for the major project are evenly divided between presentation and content.  If you have the time, this can be an opportunity to develop a website that you'll want to point to when you apply for that position (coop or professional). 

A project in the form of the blog does not need to be designed for ongoing use.  A blog can be a convenient way of organizing a website.

Heather will have office hours on Saturday, June 7th, after 2:00 p.m., if you would like to discuss your project in-depth - or send an e-mail anytime. 

Another example of a blog that was a partial inspiration for this assignment is OA Librarian.  This blog provides links to OA resources in librarianship, and blog news items about OA activity particularly relevant to librarians.  [Disclosure:  I am a member of the OA Librarian blog team].

Heather's main blog is The Imaginary Journal of Poetic Economics, if this is of interest.  This links to most of my works, mainly on open access and scholarly communications.

If you come across ideas that could help your fellow students, consider posting to the wiki.  This is not a competitive assignment!  If everyone does excellent work, that's great!

After the course is complete, if you are in agreement, I would like to post links to the assignments from the course wiki and/or blog.

The major project for LIBR559K is a subject guide or tutorial for web delivery - website, blog, wiki, or podcast.  Please select a topic, using the following as ideas or suggestions.  Please indicate which topic you have chosen; do not select the same topic as another student.  Please feel free to pick your own topic, but check with the professor first.  It is often a good idea to select a narrower topic - for example, topics like History or Medicine are very broad.  There are also a few Project options available.  You should expect to put in about as much work as you would for a 2,500 - 3,000 word term paper (5-6 pages, single spaced), but please optimize the content for web delivery.

Topics

Subject Guide to Open Access Resources - include information on OA resources for your topic; be sure to include links on how to learn about open access, and/or how to support open access and/or create open access journals or archives.

OA resources for:

-  a public library - Ro McKernan

-  a special library - Courtney Mumma (corporate)

-  an academic library - Karine Burger

-  medicine - Sue Bradley

-  history (Canada - or other region) - Libby Coyner (United States)

-  media studies - Brie Grey-Noble

-  chemistry - Qiong Yang

-  environmental studies - Michael McCarthy

-  climate change - Wei Liu

-  music - Francesca de Freitas

-  physics

- geospatial/cartographic information - Lee Losell

- HIV/AIDS - Erika

-Local Government-Stephen

Tutorials

-  how to implement the CLA Position Statement on Open Access for Canada's Libraries (in draft - please see Instructor.   Note:  please do not select this topic if you have selected this topic for your presentation).

-  how to start an open access journal or archive Roro Hinmueller

-   preserving OA material Xuemei Li

-  how to create an archive of library history materials (see Canadiana.org - please do not select this if you have selected West Beyond the West or Canadiana.org for your presentation)

-  how to search for OA materials (perhaps limit to a particular subject areas; this is similar to the subject guide except in format)

-   understanding author's rights and open access Adrienne Lai

Projects

-   CUFTS Free!  Open Access Collections Group - assist local group with developing and/or promoting OA collections

-   Draft a proposal for a research project (see Peter Suber's May 2008 SPARC Open Access Newsletter for a thorough list of suggestions)  Christina Hanson

Timeline and Marking

Due June 15th.  June 7th for spring graduation.  Please send professor the URL for your work.

Weight:  70% of course mark.  Marks will be deducted for work handed in late.  Details tba.

Marks will be assigned for content / knowledge and presentation / functionality.  A good basic understanding of what open access is, as provided in the required advanced readings, is expected.