The not so quiet rights retention revolution: research libraries, rights and supporting our communities

Abstract

• This talk examines the growing rights retention movement within UK research libraries, outlining its importance for authors and researchers and noting a significant increase in institutions adopting rights retention policies. The conversation delves into the role of libraries in supporting researchers' rights, advocating for a shift in the academic landscape towards open research facilitated by rights retention. The speaker acknowledges key contributors to this movement, both in the UK and globally, while encouraging collective action to challenge established publishing norms and empower researchers. A call for the need for rights retention to rebalance ownership and support open access to research, positioning it as a pivotal element in reshaping the relationship between researchers, institutions, and publishers.