From: "Guédon Jean-Claude" <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2015 16:00:53 +0000

Library associations are certainly a lot closer to academics than Elsevier...

I do not think that Kathleen Shearer claims that libraries represent
scholars; she simply notes that parts of academe are reacting to
Elsevier.  Libraries are part of academe. They also appen to
understand, unlike a majority of researchers, what Elsevier and the
other big international publishers are up to.

As for organisations that would represent academics, two points need to be made:

1. Many librarians are academics, both in spirit and status;

2. If learned societies and scientific associations are implied in
this putative set of "truly representative" organisations, then we
should ask two questions:

a. Which associations have given or sold their journal(s) to Elsevier
or another international publisher?

b. Which associations are waiting in the wings and observing, just to
see whether they should follow suit?

Researchers should stop treating librarians as mere service (and,
therefore, inferior): librarians are research partners, not servants.

Jean-Claude Guédon

________________________________________

From: ANTHONY WATKINSON <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Fri, 5 Jun 2015 14:19:09 +0100

I repeat my previous comment. I can see a few universities signing. I
can see NO organisation representing academics in any discipline. Does
Kathleen Shearer really think that library organisations represent
scholars? I am not writing in defence of Elsevier. I am just pointing
out that libraries should really stop claiming that they represent the
scholarly community.

Anthony

----Original message----
From: Kathleen Shearer <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2015 10:54:36 -0400

(sorry for the cross-posting)

In the last two weeks, over 1,600 individuals and organizations from
52 countries around the world have signed a statement opposing
Elsevier’s new article sharing and hosting policy, underscoring that
many in the scholarly community do not support the new policy.

The policy imposes unacceptably long embargo periods for making
articles available, the vast majority of which range from 12 months to
4 years after publication. It also requires researchers to apply
licenses that restrict the full re-use of articles.

Research funders from around the world are adopting policies that
ensure fast access, use and impact of research outputs. Most of these
funders' require open access to articles within 12 months of
publication or less. Elsevier's policy is in direct opposition to the
trend towards encouraging greater access to and impact of research
results.

Since the statement was published on May 20, 2015, public support has
continued to grow, demonstrating the deep, global support for open
access to research outputs.

COAR and SPARC renew our call for Elsevier to revise their policy in
order to better align it with the interests of the research community
and broader society.