18 September 2026
Is there a Latin American model of diamond publishing? Exploring the journal university portals
Fernanda Beigel and Manuel Bruccoleri
Abstract
Numerous initiatives and academic organizations have highlighted awareness of the marketization of scholarly publishing and the need to strengthen its future through the transition to diamond open access. Latin America is often presented as a model in this regard. However, the diversity of the region’s publishing landscape and the coexistence of different types of publishing infrastructures remain insufficiently examined. It is well‑known that this resilient ecosystem relies on open source non‑commercial platforms and indexing systems such as Redalyc, Latindex, Biblat and SciELO, as well as Open Journal Systems. Less emphasized is the central role played by universities, which possess the experience and capacity to sustain community‑led publishing initiatives. This article first presents a global cartography of indexed diamond journals updated to June 2025, based on an aggregated dataset of sources comprising 17,855 journals, highlighting Latin America’s contribution to quality diamond publishing. It then examines the results of a regional survey of university portals conducted between August and October 2025, covering 741 portals responsible for 10,823 active journals. Finally, it argues that supporting these institutional organizations offers a realistic pathway to advance diamond scholarly publishing, while acknowledging that each region should find suitable routes for its own academic journals.
Year: 2026 Volume 39 Page/Article: 17 DOI: 10.1629/uksg.771
Well‑being support and further education libraries: supporting the whole student
Rachel Huskisson
Abstract
Recent years have seen increased interest in well‑being support within academic libraries, yet UK further education (FE) libraries remain under‑researched in this area. This study, utilizing a cross‑sectional survey conducted in England in May 2025, collected 42 responses to explore the drivers, approaches, challenges and impact of student well‑being support in FE libraries. Analysis involved quantitative methods alongside content analysis of open‑ended questions. The findings indicate various drivers suggesting a non‑targeted strategy, frequently integrated with core services. While a wide array of approaches exists, collection‑based initiatives are most prevalent. Strong evidence of cross‑college partnership and initiative evaluation was found; however, this data often failed to demonstrate clear impact to senior leadership. Primary barriers include limited staff time and budgets, alongside difficulties in fostering engagement and promotion. These results largely align with broader academic library literature. Key recommendations emphasize adopting a strategic approach to well‑being that aligns with specific college priorities. Depending on available resources, libraries should prioritize demonstrating the impact of core services rather than overstretching by introducing initiatives beyond their primary scope. This ensures that well‑being support remains sustainable and relevant within the FE context.
Year: 2026 Volume 39 Page/Article: 18 DOI: 10.1629/uksg.775