From: Adam Siegel <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tue, 9 Jun 2015 20:15:01 +0000

In re " I am just pointing out that libraries should really stop
claiming that they represent the scholarly community":

It is regrettable that the economics of scholarly publishing have
given rise to the view that librarians are to be regarded primarily as
purchasing agents, buyers, or customers, thus obscuring their active
participation in the world of scholarship.

Adam Siegel
Languages and Literatures Bibliographer
University of California, Davis
Davis  CA  95616

-----Original Message-----

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