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David Prosser

@davidprosser.bsky.social
870 followers 361 following 355 posts

Executive Director of Research Libraries UK, supporting research libraries in the UK and Ireland. Chair of the Board for the Directory of Open Access Journals. He/him

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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Audubon’s The Birds of America is Double Elephant. A copy is on display at the Bodleian and as Audubon was not the nicest of men the label giving some context is headed ‘The elephant in the room’
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Francis Crick Institute Library & Information Services @fci-library.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
It's CRUK change of Open Access policy day. Comms have gone out to all Crick grant holders, but the tl;dr is "no more spending your CRUK grant money on OA funds". Lot's of other ways to make your paper OA though, so don't forget to talk to your friendly, neighbourhood library team.
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
There are wild parakeets flying around Rome. I don’t remember them from last time I was here (maybe 10 years ago)
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
A little bit of Birmingham in Naples
A 18th century book open in the windows of a bookshop, with graffiti under the window
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
So we abandoned the journey and rebooked the train for today. But we found a charming waterfront hotel 15 mins from the station. With added views of Stromboli steaming away
A small harbour with bobbing boats. The cone of the volcano Stromboli is in the horizon. Smoke is coming from the summit of the mountain
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
There is a 40 minute crossing. Then the train is reassembled once off the ferry. But there was an almighty flash of lightning and everything stopped!
Train carriages in the ferry hold during the short crossing between Sicily and the Italian mainland
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Yesterday was start of a bucket list train journey from Sicily to Naples. To cross over to the Italian mainland the train is split into sections and shunted onto a ferry. Super exciting for train nerds!
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Congratulations to Dr Bate. The RLUK community looks forward to working with him to support the British Library.
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CARL / ABRC @carl-abrc.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
🎉 CARL turns 50 this September! Founded in 1976, the Canadian Association of Research Libraries has spent five decades advancing collaboration among Canada's research libraries. Follow #CARLat50 from September–January as we share stories, milestones, photos, and memories from our history.
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Actually, I've just skimmed the Recommendations paper and they really do appear to be making the claim that the colours were invented in 2018. Weird
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I know it’s not the main point, but the way the first paragraph is written it implies Unpaywall and OpenAlex coined and popularised the colour designation from 2018 onwards. I’m sure unintentional, but a bit odd!
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RLUK Research Libraries UK @rluk.ac.uk · 17/09/2026
Join us on Wed 14 Oct (10-11) to celebrate the 1st birthday 🎂 of #UKPBC - transforming the way libraries safeguard access to scarce print monographs. We'll hear case studies on how #UKPBC works practice & how it benefits institutions and the wider library community. (Virtual) 🎟️ www.rluk.ac.uk/ow1p
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Hartley Special Collections @hartleyspecialc.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Which well-considered naturalist and “citizen scientist” who was an inspiration for Charles Darwin? Come and visit the Earth, Sea and Sky exhibition at the Special Collections Gallery, Hartley Library, weekdays 10am to 4pm from 11 September. For more information go to: buff.ly/8U3Lt3N
specialcollectionsuniversityofsouthampton.wordpress.com
Earth, Sea and Sky: the new Special Collections exhibition
As the British Science Festival returns to Southampton in September 2026, we take this opportunity to explore material within the Archives and Special Collections that relates to science and the th…
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Having a middle-age morning reading the @nationaltrust.org.uk magazine over coffee The forthcoming Queer Creativity book looks interesting
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The Association of University Presses has a fundraiser open to support Ukrainian publishers. Please do consider donating if you can: www.gofundme.com/f/send-ukrai...
gofundme.com
Donate to Send Ukrainian Publishers to Frankfurt Book Fair, organized by Association of University Presses
As a global community of mission-driven publishers dedicate… Association of University Presses needs your support for Send Ukrainian Publishers to Frankfurt Book Fair
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Congratulations to three @rluk.ac.uk members - Durham, Exeter, and Liverpool - who have received Arts Council England Designation status for their collections: www.artscouncil.org.uk/creative-mat...
artscouncil.org.uk
Comic books, Medieval monastries and film history: Record nine new Designated collections announced
Find out more about the nine new awardees of Designated status.
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That Librarian: Amanda Jones @librarianjones.com · 06/09/2026
Guess who won an Emmy!!!! @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
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CILIP @cilip.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
We’re celebrating UNESCO's International Literacy Day 2026 with the theme: "Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity." Libraries are where that hope becomes real — free, universal access to reading, knowledge, information and digital skills for everyone. #InternationalLiteracyDay
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
As members of the Libraries Alliance we wanted to note with gratitude all the work that Dolly Parton did in supporting literacy and libraries: librariesalliance.org.uk/dolly-parton...
librariesalliance.org.uk
Dolly Parton: a tribute - Libraries Alliance
The UK library community was saddened to hear of the death of Dolly Parton. As well as being an internationally renowned singer, songwriter, actor, and businesswoman, Dolly Parton was a generous phila...
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
I wonder if somebody in Cilip’s Prison Libraries Group could help - www.cilip.org.uk/community-ev...
cilip.org.uk
CILIP Prison Libraries Group
Raising the profile of library services for prison communities.
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
We were lucky enough to see Dolly live a couple of times around her Halos & Horns phase. She was everything you’d want her to be - supremely talented, funny, and generous in praise of her band. Knowing that she cared so deeply about kids’ literacy made her even more lovable.
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
I hope a home can be found. But I know that it is always tricky, especially in the current financial climate, to take on unfunded collections.
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
The 3rd EPICo Conference 2026 is taking place at the BL in late September - events.bl.uk/events/epico... My colleague Joanna will be presenting a poster on the UK Print Book Collection - ukpbc.uk
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
I got to visit the news(ish) Lambeth Palace Library recently and it looked like a great place to work!
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DOAJ @doaj.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
📣Vacancy – Operations Manager We are looking for an experienced and proactive Operations Manager to help ensure that one of the world’s leading open scholarly infrastructure organisations continues to operate effectively and sustainably Closing date: 28 August 2026 ▶️ blog.doaj.org/2026/08/10/v...
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Prince Albert looking splendid this evening
The Albert Memorial shilloutted by the red and orange of the evening sky, with dark trees either side
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
I thought I knew where the Safekeeping was going with the expected twist, and then two thirds in you get the emotional punch!
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Royal Albert Hall packed at 11:30 at the end of a superb late prom staring Ladysmith Black Mambazo It’s the 40th anniversary of Graceland, but the emotional heart of the concert was their own Halala South Africa, dedicated to Nelson Mandela Recorded for tv so worth seeking out #bbcproms
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
York is recruiting a new Director of Library, Archives and Learning Services & University Librarian. Details at: jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/dire...
jobs.york.ac.uk
Jobs - The University of York
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
My favourite example sounds like it is an urban myth, but it’s true. I’d forgotten just how many books were used. news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/3330245.stm
news.bbc.co.uk
BBC NEWS | UK | England | West Midlands | M6 Toll built with pulped fiction
In what is an unexpected twist, it has emerged that about 2,500,000 of the books were acquired during the construction of the M6 Toll.
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Really pleased to see the launch of the 26/27 round of our long-standing Professional Fellowship Scheme, in collaboration with our friends at The National Archives. Previous Fellow have done some outstanding work. Please do consider applying - especially as we have widened eligibility
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
I find as I get older the names and roles don’t stick in the memory. I’d have to look up who the last Tory Foreign Secretary was, but have no trouble remembering Lord Carington!
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Libraries Connected @librariesconnected.org.uk · 15/07/2026
Another thoughtful and productive discussion today at the latest meeting of the Libraries Alliance, hosted by Lambeth Palace Library - a library that has welcomed the public since 1610. Watch this space for more Libraries Alliance news soon! librariesalliance.org.uk
Lambeth Palace's historic red-brick facade with mullioned leaded windows, decorative diamond brickwork, a large arched black wooden gate, smaller arched doorway and a sign reading "LAMBETH PALACE."
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
We have opened the call for papers for our next conference, which will be held in March 27 in the fabulous city of Belfast. The conference is open to all so please do consider submitting a paper.
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
At Lambeth Palace Library for a meeting of the Libraries Alliance. Fabulous views from the top-floor meeting room!
View over the Houses of Parliament View of Lambeth Palace with the Thames and Nine Elms behind
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
A good update on where the current international discussion is on Secondary Publishing Rights - particularly in response to the recent German case legalblogs.wolterskluwer.com/copyright-bl...
legalblogs.wolterskluwer.com
Misleading Claims about the Secondary Publication Right
In her recent post, Molly Stech of STM, the international association of scientific publishers, discusses Problems Presented by the Secondary Publication Right. According to its website, “STM advances...
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
I feel depressed that something I remember as being ‘recent’ is now the specialism of modern history!
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Heartbreaking to see the destruction being inflicted on Sumy and the university. But so inspiring to hear of the spirit of resilience being shown by the people of the city, university, and library
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Matt Greenhall presenting on collaboration between Liverpool and Sumy State Universities. The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine means that it was not safe for Sumy colleagues to make the journey to the conference #LIBER2026
Matt Greenhall speaking in front of his presentation
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Sobering when talking about the spread of malformation to remember that Norway has a border with Russia. Our Norwegian colleagues are on the front line… #LIBER2026
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
There may be rain coming, but it’s a lovely morning in Trondheim for the start of #LIBER2026
View over the rooftops of Trondheim, under blue skies with the sea in the distance
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Heading to #LIBER2026, taking the train from Oslo to Trondheim for what I hope will be the scenic route...
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
As part of our Advancing Long-form Open Access Practice Project​ we are running a short(ish!) survey. If you are a UK academic librarian or research manager please do consider responding
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
A lovely piece, with a reminder that: "open access is about more than making research available online. It is also about inclusion, dignity, recognition and participation."
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
End-of-year at the nearby minor public school …
A firework burst over rooftops
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Great to see the Dutch Research Council extend its support for @doaj.bsky.social. Hopefully an example to funders worldwide - not all of whom support vital open infrastructure in the way they should... blog.doaj.org/2026/06/24/d...
blog.doaj.org
Dutch Research Council strengthens support for DOAJ – DOAJ Blog
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
As a Board member, I'm happy to see @doaj.bsky.social get a smiley face!
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Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Oxford University Libraries and Museums are encouraging Oxfordshire cultural venues to join a nationwide 'Cool Off in Culture' campaign, due to launch later this month. The campaign highlights cultural venues as spaces where people can take refuge and enjoy culture during periods of extreme heat.
Person wandering in the Ashmolean. There is a stone bust looking out at the camera (Roger Close. The photography, not the bust)
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Fabulous evening at Oxford’s latest concert venue. The university’s new Sohmen Concert Hall is the perfect mid-size space. Great acoustics showing off one of our favourite orchestras @auroraorchestra.bsky.social
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
A very nice piece from @jessicagardner.bsky.social on the Libraries Alliance (of which @rluk.ac.uk is a member) and our shared values across all types of libraries: librariesalliance.org.uk/the-librarie...
librariesalliance.org.uk
The Libraries Alliance: our values and voice - Libraries Alliance
A blog post by Dr Jessica Gardner (University Librarian, Cambridge), based on her keynote for the Libraries Connected Annual Seminar, June 2026. The Libraries Alliance began with a simple but powerful...
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