Call for a Managing Editor – LIBER Quarterly – EXTENDED
Are you an experienced editor with managerial qualities and an interest in leading a highly skilled editorial board of Library and Information professionals? LIBER Quarterly, LIBER’s open access journal, is looking for a Managing Editor who will lead developments of the journal in line with open scholarship.
LIBER is devoted to affordable open access business models for scientific journals. In the domain of Library and Information Sciences (LIS) it brings this principle into practice through its own journal, LIBER Quarterly.
Due to the leaving of our current colleague, we are looking for a Managing Editor to oversee publishing operations.
About LIBER Quarterly
LIBER Quarterly (LQ) is the peer reviewed, open access Journal of LIBER, the Association of European Research Libraries. The journal strives to form a bridge between the scholars of the Library and Information Sciences and the practitioners in our university and research libraries by publishing not only theoretical contributions, but also examples of good practices.
LIBER Quarterly publishes via the continuous publication model. This means that papers are published online in their final form as soon as they become available. Submissions are accepted under four content categories: articles, review papers, case studies and practice papers. The journal publishes about 15-20 papers per year. Although the name of the journal still contains “quarterly”, only one issue is published per year.
About the Editorial Board
The LIBER Quarterly peer review process is overseen and maintained via a talented and highly motivational editorial board, a Managing Editor and a copy editor. The editorial board is chaired by a representative of the LIBER Executive Board.
In recent years, the LQ editorial board has achieved a great deal, including refreshed content policies, journal content development, extended reviewer networks and transfer to a sustainable open platform. During this time, there have also been significant contextual shifts. The journal is in a period of larger scale thinking based on industry developments, scenario forecasting and community insights, so that LQ can develop in line with emerging ideas about open scholarship and in accordance with the LIBER’s strategic goals.
What you do
As a Managing Editor you work closely with the editorial board to develop the journal so that it remains relevant, creative and innovative within the vibrant open access scholarly publishing landscape. Additionally, you work closely with the journal platform providers to maintain technical efficiency and relevance as open access publishing evolves. You ensure that journal policies are regularly reviewed and adapted to align with emerging open access publishing models and ethical practice. You are responsible for the journal progresses to align with the strategic priorities of LIBER and to maintain global relevance for research libraries operating in a changing world
In this role you will:
- Manage all new submissions including: assessing submissions; selecting submissions for peer review; identifying and liaising with reviewers; assessing reviews; making decisions to accept or decline papers.
- Coordinate and support editorial board meetings
- Support copy editors and editorial board subgroups to deliver their work
- Resolve any issues as they arise, liaising with Chair of editorial board/LIBER board where necessary
- Attend LIBER events to: advocate for LIBER Quarterly and scholarly endeavour; identify and nurture opportunities for new submissions; extend the peer reviewer network; present on relevant topics
Your profile
You are an experienced editor with managerial qualities. Furthermore, our preferred candidate has:
- An understanding of the changing scholarly publishing landscape
- Strategic insight and ability
- Outstanding communication and people skills
- Reliability and efficiency
- A passion for sharing knowledge
You work in a LIBER member institute and support LIBER’s mission and values. The ability to communicate fluently and work through the English language is essential.
What we offer
Becoming Managing Editor of LIBER Quarterly is an exciting opportunity to significantly extend your network and develop a deep and unique understanding of how research libraries are changing to address the challenges of a changing world. This role is varied and fulfilling. You will contribute your skills, knowledge and experience to the development of the sector and profession and while learning from your peers. You will be supported to attend LIBER events in locations all over Europe to engage with the research library community and promote the work of LIBER Quarterly.
This role is voluntary and part time, with hours fluctuating, but on average 6-8 hours a week. You may currently be working part time, portfolio working or recently retired.
How to apply
Are you interested? Please send your CV (max 2 pages) and a cover letter of no more than 1 page, explaining your motivation and how you meet the criteria set out above to the following address: calls@libereurope.org by 31 March 2025 using the title ‘Managing Editor LIBER Quarterly’.
If you are interested but unable to meet the application deadline, please contact us at the same email address. Online interviews will be held at the end of March to the beginning of April 2025.
For an informal chat about the role, please contact Heli Kautonen, chair of the LIBER Quarterly Editorial Board, at heli.kautonen@utu.fi.
The application process is competitive, and candidates will be assessed by representatives of LIBER and the LQ Editorial Board. The selection panel will give due consideration to diversity of the team.
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