The IFLA Library Publishing Special Interest Group (LIBPUB) defines library publishing as: 

the publication of predominantly open access journals, monographs, and other materials to a variety of audiences and through a variety of languages, using open source or proprietary publishing platforms. Library publishing activities are closely linked to the strategic imperatives of institutions pertaining to open scholarship. (IFLA Library Publishing SIG, 2024) 

The internet is fundamental to library publishing facilitating the publication, dissemination, discoverability and preservation of scholarly works globally through open access publishing platforms and institutional repositories. This unrestricted access enhances readership and broader engagement with research outputs. The internet also empowers library publishers to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (O’ Neill, 2022). The internet serves as a catalyst for community building and professional networking within the Library Publishing Community, exemplified by initiatives like the Global Library Publishing Map produced by the LIBPUB SIG. (Liu, Okerson & Zou, 2024.) 

The internet we want will further empower library publishers to expand their reach, enhance discoverability, uphold the values of global knowledge dissemination, and will build on universal access initiatives (IFLA, 2023). Library publishing values incorporate a core focus on social justice, inclusion and collaboration, enhanced through shared publishing infrastructure (Library Publishing Coalition, 2023; Claassen, 2024; Raju and Lillie, 2024). The internet we want will support these collaborative approaches on an efficient and sustainable basis benefiting readers and researchers in the Global South as well as the Global North.  

The internet we want will comprise sophisticated search engines tailored to guide students, researchers and citizens globally towards reputable OA content while deterring them from misinformation. Projects like Craft OA’s proposed Discovery Hub for Diamond OA scholarly content demonstrate the evolving landscape of scholarly information discovery, (Bardi, Bargheer & Manghi, n.d). This internet will support integrated and user- friendly accessibility features for readers with disabilities, and AI will detect and eradicate rather than propagate fake news enhancing the visibility of high-quality information including library published content.  

Bardi, A., Bargheer, M. and Manghi, P. (n.d.). A Discovery Hub for Diamond Open Access publishing. [online] Available at: https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-3365/short12.pdf [Accessed 18 Apr. 2024]. 

Claassen, J. (2024). Library publishing as an alternative model for the advancement of African scholarship. 027.7 Zeitschrift für Bibliothekskultur / Journal for Library Culture, [online] 11(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.21428/1bfadeb6.1c2d2fb5 

IFLA (2023). Internet Manifesto Revision Principles Paper. repository.ifla.org. [online] Available at: https://repository.ifla.org/handle/123456789/3042 [Accessed 15 Apr. 2024]. 

Library Publishing Coalition (2023). An Ethical Framework For Library Publishing, Version 2.0 | Library Publishing Coalition. [online] Available at: https://librarypublishing.org/resources/ethical-framework/#:~:text=influence%20structural%20change [Accessed 16 Apr. 2024]. 

Liu, G., Okerson, A., Zou, Q. (2024). Mapping the World of Library Publishing: Unveiling the Global Landscape and Collaboration behind the Scenes. 027.7 Zeitschrift für Bibliothekskultur / Journal for Library Culture, [online] 11(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.21428/1bfadeb6.53bb799e 

O Neill, M. (2022). The Impact of Library Publishing Through the Lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. repository.ifla.org. [online] Available at: https://repository.ifla.org/handle/123456789/2314 [Accessed 18 Apr. 2024]. 

‌Raju, R. and Lillie, K. de (2024). A publishing modality to advance social justice: an African experience. 027.7 Zeitschrift für Bibliothekskultur / Journal for Library Culture, [online] 11(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.21428/1bfadeb6.e1c7b265 

Author:  Marie O’Neill, IFLA Library Publishing SIG; Deputy Librarian at the Institute of Art, Design + Technology in Dublin, Ireland