Scholarly publication metadata is scattered across multiple platforms, but can be linked together to gain a more complete understanding of research networks and research outputs. This workshop provides practical skills for systematically collecting metadata from the Crossref, ROR, and ORCID APIs. Participants will work with customizable code notebooks, learning to navigate API documentation, configure authentication credentials, and execute requests to retrieve relational metadata relevant to their publications, institutions, and authors.
Free and open source software (FOSS) powers much of the library publishing ecosystem, yet many potential contributors are uncertain about how they belong in open source software communities. Barriers such as perceived technical requirements, fear of making mistakes, unclear onboarding processes, outdated documentation, exclusionary language, and a lack of visible mentorship can discourage participation, particularly from those without formal software development backgrounds. This interactive, hands-on workshop will provide a welcoming, inclusive, and practical introduction to contributing to open source software projects, emphasizing that meaningful contributions extend far beyond writing code. Led by maintainers and leaders from major open source publishing projects (Pressbooks, Manifold, Coko/Ketty, and the Public Knowledge Project), this session will guide participants through a variety of contribution pathways, including proposing features/reporting issues, improving documentation, testing usability and accessibility, and providing translations. After a brief framing presentation, participants will work in small, facilitated breakout groups with project representatives to explore real project repositories, issue trackers, and contribution guidelines. Attendees will identify contribution opportunities aligned with their interests and skills and take concrete first steps toward participation. The workshop is designed to resemble a supportive edit-a-thon rather than a traditional hackathon, prioritizing learning, confidence-building, and community connection over technical output. This session requires a hands-on format to ensure participants leave not only with conceptual knowledge, but with direct experience navigating open source contribution workflows and engaging with project communities. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how open source projects function, how their expertise is valuable, and how to continue contributing beyond the conference.
Library publishers often exist in a liminal space between “technical host” and “strategic publisher.” For years, eScholarship operated largely in the former category – providing platforming for important niche scholarship but lacking the mechanisms to encourage adoption of professional standards. We now recognize that this passive model was ultimately a disservice to our editors, authors, and readers: without adhering to transparent, community-established standards, journals risk being less discoverable, less relevant, and less likely to achieve sustainable funding. To bridge this gap, eScholarship has, in the past several years, pivoted to a proactive, standards-based approach. In 2025, drawing on the JPPS framework, DOAJ criteria, and COPE guidelines, we developed a suite of evaluation rubrics to assess new journal proposals, audit existing journals, and measure the overall health of our own publishing program. These tools have allowed us to replace subjective “gut feeling” decision-making with more objective, transparent, and equitable processes, ensuring our limited resources are invested where they make the most impact. This session offers a replicable framework for similarly professionalizing library publishing portfolios. After presenting our methodology and results, we will review the 3 rubrics in detail before shifting to a hands-on workshop. Attendees will receive modifiable rubric templates and work in small, host-facilitated groups to discuss how adapting these standards to their own local contexts could move us collectively towards a shared model of quality and accountability in library-based publishing.
In an time of digital exhaustion, zines offer a tactile way to express ideas, foster creativity, and build community. This workshop invites participants to explore zines as versatile tools for teaching, publishing, and personal expression. Drawing on our experience using zines both professionally and personally, presenters will demonstrate how these DIY publications can complement formal publishing programs, enliven classroom activities, and serve as a medium for self-care and reflection. Participants will participate in brainstorming exercises, create their own mini-zines, and discuss the logistics of zines in the classroom. Along the way, we will share practical strategies for integrating zines into academic and professional contexts—whether to showcase research, encourage student engagement, or cultivate inclusive spaces for dialogue. We will also highlight the role of zines in promoting wellness and levity, offering a creative outlet that balances the demands of scholarly and professional life. By the end of the workshop, attendees will leave with a completed zine, actionable ideas for incorporating zines into their work, and a renewed appreciation for the power of low-tech publishing to inspire connection and creativity.
