The University of Iowa Libraries is pleased to announce the expansion of the landmark open publishing agreement between the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) and Wiley. The new three-year agreement, which is effective Jan. 1, 2023, to Dec. 31, 2025, grants University of Iowa faculty, staff, and students access to publish and read in Wiley’s full journal portfolio, including Hindawi’s gold open access portfolio, with no fees, no caps, no limits, no hassle. Authors keep the rights to their own work under a Creative Commons license, making their work immediately open and available to anyone.
UI corresponding authors may publish their articles open access in any journal under the Wiley umbrella at no charge during the term of the agreement. Authors must identify themselves as being affiliated with the university when submitting articles through the Wiley publishing workflow process. Eligible publications:
Have a corresponding author from a BTAA institution;
Are primary research and review articles are primary research and review articles (which may include original articles, case studies, reviews, and short communications);
Are accepted for publication in a Wiley hybrid journal or submitted and accepted to a Wiley gold or Hindawi journal during the term of the agreement (Jan. 1, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2025).
Iowa Lichtenberger Engineering Library receives Patent and Trademark Resource Center designation Initiative provides individual inventors access to additional resources from federal agency
The PTRC is a resource for those with personally-owned inventions, such as student inventors and inventors from the community. It offers individuals from the university and throughout the state the ability to tap into the rich services provided by the USPTO’s vast networks of experts on intellectual property, which includes patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. It also serves as a resource for University of Iowa Research Foundation (UIRF) staff as they work to protect faculty inventions owned by the university.
“The Lichtenberger Engineering Library has an abundance of experience promoting and delivering information and instruction services to the campus community and public, which is an essential element of the mission of the UI Libraries and university,” says John Culshaw, Jack B. King university librarian. “We’re very pleased to now have this opportunity for our skilled and dedicated librarians to continue collaborating to serve individuals looking to develop something impactful.”
“We congratulate the Lichtenberger Engineering Library for undertaking this initiative and the USPTO looks forward to working together to extend these important opportunities to as many individuals as possible,” says Robert Berry, manager of the Patent and Trademark Resource Center Program, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
US 1814357A (Acoustic Device for Sound Pick-up) invented by Harry F. Olson (BE ‘24, MS ‘25, PHD physics ‘28, EE ‘32)—A pioneer and leading authority in acoustics and electronic sound recording, Olson developed magnetic tape recorders for sound and television, the electronic music synthesizer, and underwater sound equipment.
The Lichtenberger Engineering Library also maintains an active instructional schedule, which includes on-campus lectures and classes covering intellectual property topics as a part of its information literacy program. These sessions are available as for-credit classroom work as well as open to the public.
The UIRF works to obtain intellectual property protection on innovations created by researchers through their work at the university and partners with industry for the commercial development of new products and services. While the UIRF manages patent protection for university-owned inventions, until now there has been no resource on campus for those with personally-owned inventions. In addition, access to patent records can serve as an asset for university faculty conducting basic research—often scientific discoveries, especially those from industry, end up in published patent applications even if they are never published in traditional academic journals.
“UIRF is particularly excited that this resource is now available for our faculty start-up companies,” says Marie Kerbeshian, assistant vice president and executive director for the UIRF. “As these companies create their own intellectual property independent of the university, they are now able to seek advice that will help them develop a strong intellectual property portfolio.”
You can learn more about and access patents here. For more information about educational opportunities, potential partnerships, and more, please contact Kari Kozak, director of the Lichtenberger Engineering Library, at kari-kozak@uiowa.edu.
Please note, the Lichtenberger Engineering Library is not a legal entity and a licensed lawyer should be consulted if you need legal assistance.
COURTESY: THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF PUBLIC DOMAIN AT DUKE LAW SCHOOL
1927 was a big year for the arts. It brought new fictional works from Virginia Woolf, A. A. Milne, Edith Wharton, Herman Hesse, and Franz Kafka. It gave us audio hits including Irving Berlin’s “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and the soundtrack to Ira and George Gershwin’s Funny Face. Movie audiences saw (and heard) the first “talkie” film, and Alfred Hitchcock’s first thriller kept viewers on the edge of their seats. And as of January 1, all of these works are now available in the public domain.
When a work enters the public domain, the public no longer needs to seek the artist’s permission to copy or use the work. This opens the door for creative riffs on the classics, and makes public domain materials available free of charge.
Here are some places to check out the newly available creative works from 1927 available in the public domain:
Interested in finding out more about U.S. copyright law and how to determine a work’s copyright status? The Scholarly Impact Department helps faculty work through complex copyright issues, such as what can be used in the classroom, how to retain your rights as an author, and how to apply Creative Commons licensing. Feel free to send an email to mahrya-burnett@uiowa.edu to set up a consultation. You might also try these excellent copyright resources:
Digital Copyright Slider – This Flash-based slider provides copyright status for works, depending on when they were published and whether copyright was renewed.
UI Libraries Copyright Guide – This guide provides the basics on copyright issues, such as Fair Use, seeking permissions, author rights, and licensing.
We’re grateful every day for our student workers, whose contributions are foundational to the University of Iowa Libraries. They’re the vital engine behind everything we do, from the front desk at the Lichtenberger Engineering Library to the stacks at the Main Library. These dedicated students make time alongside their classes to create friendly, helpful environments where library users can focus and explore.
For the 2022-2023 academic year, nine student employees have been awarded scholarships in recognition of their work in the UI Libraries. We’re proud to celebrate each of them, as they share how their time in the UI Libraries has impacted their studies, their confidence, and their plans for the future.
Elizabeth (Lizzi) Ayers has been awarded the Judy and Mike Greer Scholarship in Memory of Mary E. Greer. She is an English major and French minor from Iowa City, Iowa. Through a summer project maintaining 18th-century Belgian political pamphlets in Conservation & Collections Care, Ayers discovered a love of antique materials—and found the inspiration to begin her own career in librarianship.
“Working at the Libraries has helped me strengthen my professional communication skills (both verbal and written), as well as giving me a chance to pick up a variety of collections care/management-specific skills such as database navigation and caring for fragile items. [There is] variety in my work, day to day. Working in Collections Care has reassured me that libraries are anything but boring.”
Cara Heuer is a third-year student from Ames, Iowa studying human physiology. She received a UI Libraries Student Employee Scholarship for her work at the Sciences Library. During her time at the library, Heuer has come to appreciate the sense of connection and shared motivation that naturally grows within the space. She loves to help “set the tone” for each person’s library visit by making sure to greet them with positivity and enthusiasm.
“I have had the chance to interact with so many students and professors that I may not have otherwise met. During my time here I have been able to share so many small moments with those in the library and a part of the university community. These experiences have given me confidence in my ability to connect with others and communicate to solve problems. I hope to translate these skills into my connections with my patients and colleagues as a future healthcare provider!”
Adam Holmes is studying mechanical engineering with minors in art and mathematics. An Iowa City native, Adam was awarded a UI Libraries Student Employee Scholarship in connection with his work at the Lichtenberger Engineering Library. He was surprised to discover that library users often recognize him from the front desk when they cross paths elsewhere on campus; this made him realize that his work has an impact on each person’s experience.
“In the Engineering Library alone, it’s been fascinating to learn about our extensive tool collection, which has things that I hadn’t even heard of before this job. I also frequently have students working on research papers that come to me looking for books on a certain topic. I love seeing their surprised reaction when I show them our catalog, which usually has dozens of books, journals, and other media on their topic.”
Abigail Kellis is studying English and creative writing and history, with a certificate in museum studies. She was awarded a Dale M. and Mary Gail Bentz Scholarship for her work in Circulation Services at the Main Library. The spirit of collaboration and mentorship she feels with her fellow library workers has inspired Kellis to seek a future career in libraries, museums, and archives.
“The library has helped strengthen my ability to adapt and solve many different types of problems. All jobs and careers have issues that arise that need to be solved, and being able to solve them or contact the people with more expertise who can solve them is an important skill to have.”
Ana Koch was selected for a Dale M. and Mary Gail Bentz Scholarship. Koch is a nursing student with a minor in music and works at the Pomerantz Business Library, where her experience at the main desk has bolstered her skill in communicating with patrons. She believes that her time spent in a people-oriented role will strengthen her interpersonal skills in her future career as a healthcare provider.
“Working at the Business Library has helped me improve my time management and communication skills. Having a concise working schedule helps me to remain organized. An organized schedule encourages me to stay on top of my assignments while properly managing my time. I also communicate with people on a regular basis as I work. I help them with directions, solving problems, and checking out materials. Communicating with people in a respectful fashion is a huge part of nursing.”
Alyssa Lemay, a statistics and mathematics major from Sussex, Wisconsin, has been awarded a UI Libraries Student Employee Scholarship in connection with her work in Circulation Services at the Main Library. Lemay says that helping library users locate resources and navigate a vast collection has made her a flexible communicator and revealed her love of customer service—traits she looks forward to using in the future. “Working at the library, I have learned to communicate with people of all backgrounds effectively. Interacting with coworkers and patrons can sometimes be interesting or difficult because of these backgrounds! Learning to navigate these obstacles will for sure be helpful in my future career path. Part of being a statistician is working with groups of people, all of which have different educational backgrounds, to come to a conclusion. I need to be able to effectively communicate my ideas in order to achieve this goal.”
LilliAnna Scott is majoring in environmental policy and planning, with a certificate in sustainability. Scott received a Dale M. and Mary Gail Bentz Scholarship in recognition for her three years of work at the UI Libraries, in both the Main Library and the Art Library. As a first-generation student, she found that working at the Libraries gave her an immediate chance to familiarize herself with the academic resources available at a large research university.
“I have been surprised by the deep connections that the Libraries have with the community of Iowa City outside of campus and beyond. In my time working at the Art Library, I have had the pleasure of assisting many different patrons with a range of interests. I love to see the variety of topics of books that the graduate students check out for research or the many books we send and receive through the Interlibrary Loan. This has truly shown me the powerful connections of libraries and how they enrich our communities.”
Skylar Halley, a mechanical engineering student from Fairfield, Iowa, was awarded the Dale M. and Mary Gail Bentz Libraries Student Employee Scholarship. Halley works in the Lichtenberger Engineering Library, where his encounters with visitors and library co-workers exposed him to new fields of study within engineering. Meaningful discussions with one PhD student even encouraged him to reincorporate music into his life.
“I have learned both how to think on my feet, as well as the right questions and people to ask when I am not sure what to do. Working at the Libraries has provided me with the opportunity to interact with many fellow engineering students, which has shown me the range of people in the field with a multitude of different personalities and approaches towards engineering.”
Emiline Heimos was awarded a UI Libraries Student Employee Scholarship for her work at in the bookstacks at the Main Library. Originally from Labadie, Missouri, Heimos studies linguistics (teaching English as a second language) and translation for global literacy. She has come to love the quiet and calm of the stacks, finding a meditative sense of wellbeing among the books. This tranquility has served her in the classroom, where she’s noted a sense of increased confidence.
“Working at the library had helped me in many aspects, and developing professional skills is definitely one of them. I have learned patience, how to be organized and precise with my work, and how to think critically when going about my organization. I hope to be an ESL teacher in the near future, and I believe that all of these skills will apply there… as a library patron, you see a cart of books being shelved, and that might be all. Working here, I realized that there is so much more to accomplish, and I am happy to be a part of that.”
The National Weather Service is forecasting severe weather beginning Wednesday evening and extending through Saturday morning, with the greatest threat for dangerous wind chills on Thursday and Friday. To minimize nonessential travel, all library locations will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 22, and Friday, Dec. 23.
Remote access to library resources and online services are expected to continue without interruption. Library users who have outstanding materials due while the building is closed should hold on to those materials until the libraries reopen.
Complete hours information
Wednesday, Dec 21
Main Library open to 6:00pm; other locations as posted
Beginning in January 2023 the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will require data management and sharing plans for all awards that generate scientific data. Research Data Services at the University of Iowa Libraries has been supporting university researchers as they prepare for this change, with guidance on our website, informational workshops, and individual consultations.
With this new requirement, the NIH shows its strong support of data sharing, though the inevitable questions of “why?” and “what’s the point?” have been top of mind for many. So, what are the benefits of sharing data?
Research shows that data sharing has many advantages – for researchers, for the patients whose data is being shared, and for society more generally.
For researchers: A 2020 study published in PLOS ONE shows a significant advantage in citation numbers when data is shared in open access repositories. The study authors reviewed well over 500,000 articles published by PLOS and BMC and found up to 25.36% increase in citation counts when the associated data was fully open access – i.e., in a repository without restrictions on its use [1]. And sharing data also offers exciting opportunities for new research studies. For instance, analyzing old data with contemporary methods has led to novel “remixes,” such as a study that used weather reports in 19th century naval logbooks to model climate change, or one that analyzed text comments from patients in online forums to help clinical discovery [2].
For patients: Many have argued for the ethical obligation researchers have to make full use of clinical trial data, given that patients have donated their time and information in the pursuit of treatments and therapies [3]. Sharing clinical data widely could lead to the design of new trials, development of predictive models, and the creation of simulation tools [3]. Cancer researchers, specifically, have argued that because precision oncology is so heterogenous, no single research center can possibly produce enough data to adequately use models for prognosis and prediction. Data simply must be shared so there is enough of it to train the models and ultimately enhance patient outcomes [4].
For society at large: When those in developed nations with robust research infrastructure share their data openly, it allows those with limited resources – especially those in low-income countries – to use the data to investigate questions that are relevant to their own communities’ needs [2] [5]. Plus, there are major economic benefits to open data. A 2018 study by the European Commission found an estimated annual cost of €10.2 billion to the European economy when data is not shared [6]. The costs derive from inefficiency (especially wasted time), paying for extra licenses to access data, and storage costs.
Care must certainly be taken to minimize the risks of reidentification and other factors when sharing human subject data. Deidentification and sharing data through restricted access repositories are some of the ways in which this can be addressed.
In fact, participants in clinical trials are strong advocates for data sharing. A 2018 survey of participants indicated that they perceive the benefits of data sharing to outweigh the downfalls, and they noted that the most important advantage of data sharing was “making sure people’s participation in clinical trials leads to the most benefit possible” [7].
This belief in the value of data sharing actually extends beyond clinical trial participants. Pew Research found most Americans (57%) say they would trust research findings more if researchers made their data publicly available [8].
Ultimately, many stakeholders can expect to derive real benefits from the new NIH policy and increased data sharing, and researchers’ data management and sharing plans can lead to valuable contributions to the advancement of science and health outcomes.
If you’re tasked with writing your own data management and sharing plan, identifying a repository for sharing your data, or curating a dataset, Research Data Services can help. We have guidance on our website, offer workshops and trainings, do one-on-one consultations, and can answer your questions by email, as well.
References:
[1] Colavizza, G., Hrynaszkiewicz, I., Staden, I., Whitaker, K., and McGillivray, B. (2020). “The citation advantage of linking publications to research data,” PLOS ONE, vol. 15, no. 4, 2020 pp. 1–18, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230416.
[2] Voytek, B. (2016). “The virtuous cycle of a data ecosystem.” PLOS Computational Biology, vol. 12, no. 8, doi: 10.1371%2Fjournal.pcbi.1005037
[3] Konkol, M., Nüst, D., and Goulier, L. (2020). “Publishing computational research – a review of infrastructures for reproducible and transparent scholarly communication,” Research Integrity and Peer Review, vol. 5, no. 1, p. 10, doi: 10.1186/s41073-020-00095-y.
[4] Vesteghem, C. et al. (2020). “Implementing the FAIR Data Principles in precision oncology: Review of supporting initiatives,” Briefings in Bioinformatics, vol. 21, no. 3, pp. 936–945, doi: 10.1093/bib/bbz044.
[6] PwC EU Services, Cost of not having FAIR research data. Cost-Benefit analysis for FAIR research data. 2018. doi: 10.2777/02999.
[7] Mello, M. M., Lieou, V., and Goodman S.N., (2018). “Clinical trial participants’ views of the risks and benefits of data sharing,” New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 378, no. 23, pp. 2202–2211, doi: 10.1056/NEJMsa1713258.
The University of Iowa Libraries is pleased to announce a new transformative read and publish agreement with the Institute of Physics (IOP). The agreement, negotiated through the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA), ensures continued access to IOPscience and supports unlimited Open Access publishing in eligible IOP journals for University of Iowa authors without paying article processing charges (APCs).
The agreement takes effect on Jan. 1, 2023, and runs through Dec. 31, 2025. To qualify for the agreement, the article must be accepted in an eligible IOP journal within that timeframe and have a corresponding author from the University of Iowa or another participating institution.
Corresponding authors must identify themselves as affiliated with the University of Iowa and use their institutional email address as part of the IOP publishing workflow. They will automatically be identified as eligible to publish open access without paying APCs. Authors will retain copyright and the article will be published under a CC-BY Creative Commons license.
Even the most unflappable students tend to feel stress spiking in the final week of the semester, when exams and essays loom. It’s also one of the busiest seasons at the UI Libraries, with visitors seeking energy and focus among the stacks. We’ve put together a list of recommendations and activities to help you find a finals routine that works just as well as you do.
Attend finals week programming
Throughout finals week, the UI Libraries and other university organizations are supporting students by offering special activities and resources designed to add fun and relaxation to the calendar.
On Monday, for example, you can fuel your studies with a free breakfast in the IMU, catered by the famous “Pancake Man.” Then head down the road to the Main Library for some snacks, or stop by the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences to find the plush dinosaur hidden in the building and collect the prize.
Monday, Dec. 12
Main Library
9:30 a.m. – Snacks available in the Service Commons on the first floor, while supplies last
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – SEAM Brain Break available on second floor, offering activities to keep your mind engaged while offering a respite from work.
Hardin Library for the Health Sciences
The first student to find the plush dinosaur hidden in the building will win a prize from December 11-14
Tuesday, Dec. 13
Main Library
9:30 a.m. – Grab N Go Breakfast Bags available while supplies last
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – SEAM Brain Break available on second floor
7 p.m. – Snacks available while supplies last
Wednesday, Dec. 14
Main Library
9:30 a.m. – Fresh fruit available while supplies last
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – SEAM Brain Break available on second floor
Thursday, Dec. 15
Main Library
9:30 a.m. – Snacks available while supplies last
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – SEAM Brain Break available on second floor
Watch this space for a complete schedule of activities at the UI Libraries during finals week, as our programming continues to develop and expand. For more on-campus finals activities, keep an eye on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Extended hours to fit your schedule
The Main Library will be open until midnight on Friday, Dec. 9, and Saturday, Dec. 10. Then, around-the-clock access starts at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11, and ends at 10 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16. Make sure to bring your Iowa One card to enter the building between 1 to 7 a.m. The Food for Thought Café will be open until midnight from Saturday, Dec. 10, to Thursday, Dec. 14, and will close at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15.
In the Learning Commons, study room walls can double as whiteboards.
Sometimes you need a corner all to yourself, a place to hum along to the song in your head while you grind out a bibliography or memorize a formula. Sometimes you have a group project that requires focused communication, and telepathy isn’t an option. Maybe you just know a whiteboard will keep your thoughts organized. Whatever the task, the UI Libraries has you covered with with variety of study spaces.
Great libraries (we count ourselves among them) adapt to the needs of the people who use them, rather than expecting visitors to compromise their needs to fit into an outdated model. UI’s libraries are constantly adjusting our approach based on new information.
And the more researchers uncover about how our brains work, the clearer it becomes that there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all study environment. Some students work best with background noise; others prefer to cancel it with a pair of earmuffs or ear plugs. Sitting upright in a chair is effective for some, while others might benefit from a wobble pad or beanbag chair.
The Main Library provides short-term rentals to accommodate as many of our visitors’ needs as possible. Game-changing tools like weighted lap pads, earplugs, noise-dampening earmuffs, and wobble cushions can be checked out for four hours at a time from the service desk at Main Library, and the textured calm strips that come with them are yours to keep.
Just ask!
Not only are our staff uninterested in shushing visitors—they actually want you to speak up if you have questions. Whether you’re lost on your way to a study room, need help finding a particular volume, or want to rent an accessibility resource, they’re here to help. Don’t be afraid to pose a question or voice a concern; “Just Ask” is the unofficial motto of the UI Libraries.
Our libraries contain an inexhaustible range of resources, and library staff have a wealth of expertise to help you take advantage of whichever ones are most useful to you. There’s an ideal study space, resource collection, and atmosphere for every student—so many options that they can be daunting at first. That’s why we’re here, during Finals Week and every week.
The University of Iowa Libraries is celebrating its student workers and staff who identify as first-generation students with opportunities to enjoy snacks, coffee, and other refreshments at the Main Library.
It’s part of the university’s National First-Generation College Celebration held from Monday, Nov. 7 through Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. At Iowa, first-generation college students are students who do not have a parent(s) or legal guardian(s) who completed a four-year degree. Approximately one in five UI students identify as first-generation.
The campus community is welcome to stop by and grab a snack or drink in the Main Library (125 W. Washington St.) to recognize first-generation college students and staff at Iowa and the UI Libraires.
Monday, Nov. 7 – Hot chocolate and donuts in the Learning Commons Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 9 a.m. – Breakfast and coffee in the Learning Commons near the Food for Thought Café Wednesday, Nov. 9 – Cookies in the Learning Commons Thursday, Nov. 10 – Assorted snacks in the Learning Commons Friday, Nov. 11 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. – Popcorn in Learning Commons, Group Area D
Monday, Nov. 7 – Wednesday, Nov. 9, from 5 to 9 p.m. – Game night in The SEAM (room 2013)
Meet some of our student workers and staff who shared they identify as a first-generation student:
Kai Ayala
Jessi Beck
Cassidy Hibbert
Ryan Kangali
María Leonor Márquez Ponce
Lilli Scott
Ali Slowiak
Tim Arnold, information literacy librarian
John Culshaw, Jack B. King university librarian
Eric Ensley, curator of rare books and maps in Special Collections and Archives
Heather Healy, clinical education librarian
Rita Soenksen, English and American Literature librarian
Happy Open Access Week! We’re celebrating this year’s theme “Open for Climate Justice” with an Iowa Research Online featured collection of recent University of Iowa scholar-authored open access journal articles related to climate change.
We’re also officially launching our Open Scholarship Toolkit, which is a resource for UI scholars in every discipline to share the results of their research freely and openly with the public and the academic community.
Read on for more information about how we can help you or contact your liaison librarian for assistance. The UI Libraries supports models of open access publishing that are equitable for scholars and the general public, both at our institution and around the world. Our statement of Open Access Support provides more information about the resources and services we provide to make more UI scholarship open access. We also celebrate Open Access year-round by making it easier for scholars to make their work available Open Access.
You can publish Open Access for free! The UI Libraries has entered into several “transformative agreements” (also known as “read & publish agreements”) with publishers like the American Chemical Society, Cambridge University Press, Wiley, and others. Through these agreements, the library pays publishers for access to a journal’s full content, as well as the right to make their researchers’ work open access, under a single contract and fee. This allows authors to publish Open Access without paying for it themselves. Contact lib-impact@uiowa.edu or your liaison librarian for assistance.
If you can’t publish in an Open Access journal, you can still make your work freely available by depositing your accepted manuscripts, pre-prints, research data and other work in the university’s institutional repository, Iowa Research Online. Publisher restrictions on versions and embargoes may apply, so please contact lib-ir@uiowa.edu or your liaison librarian for more information.
