Open Access Week 2012 held at the University Library of Belgrade

Open Access Week is a global annual event held for the 6th time in 2012 between 22 and 28 October. Its main purposes are to promote awareness of the international open access movement and to give an opportunity to the academic and research community to share knowledge and information about the benefits of open access.

University Library “Svetozar Markovic” organized a series of events and activities during this week with the goal of promoting principles of open access to information. The OA week at the University of Belgrade was sponsored by EIFL.

Overview

Monday, October 22, was dedicated to OA achievements and challenges of the University Library in Belgrade: digital repository of Belgrade University “Phaidra”, a guide through online resources “LibGuides”, Library’s new website and integrated search of OA resources, and tools “Yahoo Pipes” and “Walden’s Paths”.

 
Tuesday, October 23, was the day of awarding honorary titles “Аrchоnt of Open Access at the University of Belgrade” to researchers and librarians of the University of Belgrade. Honorary title “Archont of Open Access at the University of Belgrade” is an award given by the University Library in Belgrade to individuals working within the University of Belgrade for their remarkable potential and professional capacity in promotion of Open Access to scientific information today and in future. Winners for 2012/13 are Professor Мlаdеn Čudаnоv (Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade), Professor Мilоš Bајčеtić (School of Medicine, University of Belgrade), Vlаdimir Маrkоvić (Department for studies and scientific and educational activities, University of Belgrade), Јеlеnа Јаćimоvić (librarian, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Belgrade) and Аnа Ivkоvić (librarian, Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia). 

Thursday, October 25, was dedicated to European and world institutional resources of scientific information in OA. Keynote speaker was Aubéry Escande, Communications, Marketing and Editorial Manager for The European Library (TEL). Mr. Escande presented TEL services and Europeana portal. This was followed by presentation of integrated search of TEL within the new website of University Library in Belgrade by Nikola Pavlovic. During this session Biljana Kosanovic from the National Library of Serbia talked about the position and visibility of Serbia in European and world resources of scientific information, Bogoljub Mazić (University Library) introduced a digital repository “Phaidra” and Adam Sofronijevic (University Library) presented the new phenomenon of massive open online courses (MOOC). Next session was opened by Mirjana Popovic from the World Bank who talked about World Bank and Open Access to statistical databases, scientific works and publications. Next speaker was Nevenka Antic from Creative Commons Serbia who talked about Open digital Creative Commons standardization and scientific interaction. Last but not least, Vedran Vucic from GNU Linux Center Serbia presented Technical standardisation for publishing OA content.

Wednesday and Friday were dedicated to librarians and general public who had the opportunity to learn more about open access for library patrons and educational workshops at the University Library that are being held on regular basis throughout the year.

Open Access Week 2013.

University Library “Svetozar Markovic” participated in this massive international manifestation for the first time this year. Due to excellent response of both speakers and the audience, we plan to join this global annual event in the last week of October 2013.