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