E-Publishing in Academia: Opportunities and Challenges for Library Professionals

Mohamed Musthafa. K

&

Dr. Naushad Ali. PM

Abstract

Electronic publishing is an opportunity for the libraries to undertake the responsibility of publishing the intellectual output of any academic institution. Library and information centers as the central point of intellectual activities in the academic environment and the librarians have experience of working with people from different subject areas in order to support their activities and to deliver services to them, and they also have professional skills associated with the management and dissemination of information, they are the most suitable professionals to play the role of publisher in the academic environment. This paper discusses the possibilities and opportunities of electronic publishing in this regard. At the same time there are challenges like publishing skills, technology skills, experience, copyright and preservation issues in electronic publishing.  This paper discusses some of the important issues which should be addressed when the librarians start to play the role of e-publisher.   A list of popular open sources e-publishing models which are downloadable at free of cost has also been given.

Keywords: e-Publishing, Libraries, Academia, e-Publishing models