National platform for Open Journals in Norway

Abstract

In this talk, I presented the conclusion from a report on the need for a national platform for Open Journals, written by the Universities Norway Library committee (2021). Currently, about five person-years are manning all the Norwegian institutional publishing platforms, mainly running on differing versions of OJS. Compliance with Plan S requires administrative and technical adaptations and financial resources and manpower, which even the larger institutions lack. After describing the alternatives of 1) continuing current practices, 2) establishing a Nordic platform, and 3) relying on commercial management services, the report outlines the preferred alternative, 4) institutional collaboration via a national platform, and finally, the requirements for such collaboration. Furthermore, the preferred alternative 4 is in line with the SDGs concerning reducing inequalities through facilitating Open Access Publishing (no. 10), and the implementation of national and Nordic publishing collaborations (no. 17).