October 20, 2021

By Hannah Ballard

There is no single correct way for a library to publish journals; it’s a process that often grows organically in response to local needs. However, having models to draw from when creating or updating a journal publishing workflow can result in better processes and stronger partnerships. 

To enable library publishers to build on each others’ work in this area, the Library Publishing Workflows project (IMLS 2019-2022) is excited to release a complete set of journal publishing workflow documentation for each of our twelve partner libraries.

The programs behind these workflows are large and small, high-touch and light-touch, and staffed and focused in a variety of ways. Individually, they offer models for similar programs. As a set, they highlight the diversity of practice in this vital area of librarianship. 

For each partner library, we have provided a program profile, one or more workflow diagrams, and accompanying detailed workflows. We are also releasing the workflow diagrams as a set, to enable quick review and comparison across all of the workflows. The documentation is the result of more than two years of interviews, revisions, group discussions, and peer reviews. Because publishing workflows are always evolving, however, this documentation represents a snapshot in time.

Coming Soon

The workflows release is just the start! Over the next few months, we will publish a blog post from each of our partners about the evolution of their programs and workflows.  These posts will provide context about how the workflows came to be and how they have evolved over time. Look for these posts on the Library Publishing Coalition Blog. 

Interested in creating your own workflow documentation? In January, we will release a set of tools that library publishers can use to document their own workflows, as well as tools to support the use of the documentation process to reflect on and improve local practices. 

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