Journal Hosting: Getting Started

Walker Library offers digital publishing services to the MTSU community by providing access to hosted journal software and the preservation of journal content.

There are two options:

1. JEWLScholar, MTSU’s institutional repository, will make journals visible to a global audience and assures long-term preservation. This option is appropriate for journals that do not need editorial software for workflow procedures, but want permanent, open access and dependable archiving of the journal content.

Journal example that is published in JEWLScholar:

• Collage: A Journal of Creative Expression

2. Journals@MTSU, an open access platform, uses the Open Journal Systems (OJS) open source software to not only make journals visible while assuring its preservation, but also supports the entire editorial management workflow (article submission, peer-review, indexing). This option is for journals that have a stable editorial team and usually publish scholarly content on a regular basis.

Journal examples that are published in Journals@MTSU:

• International Journal of the Whole Child (IJWC)
• Journal for Economic Educators
• Journal of Small Business Strategy
• Scientia et Humanitas

Walker Library handles the initial set up of journals hosted with us, answers questions about the software and gives recommendations on how to implement the journal. The Journal Managers are responsible for publishing the content, developing journal policies and guidelines, managing subscribers and the editorial team, and customizing the design of the journal.

Developing a new journal or a new format (adding an online version to an already printed version) of a journal is a process. Implementation will go more smoothly if you have taken the time to learn the initial setup of the system and understand the elements involved.

• Since the library only does the initial setup of the journal (a basic shell site), if you want to customize the look and feel of your site, you (or someone on your editorial team) will need to be comfortable with editing CSS and HTML.
• If you are moving from print to digital publishing, you will need to create a plan for communicating the changes to your readers.
• If you have content hosted on another platform or backfiles in PDF format, it is possible to add those to your new site. We can provide guidance on this, but it does not necessarily mean we perform all the work and it may require knowledge of XML.
• All journals using the library's platforms are open access. If you want your journal to have subscriptions or fees, it is best to find an alternative solution.
• If you are new to journal publishing, you will need to allow extra time to become familiar with managing the review process including CFPs, assigning roles, editing, copyediting, layout design, etc.

If you are certain that starting a journal is indeed the right decision, your next step is deciding which format: JEWLScholar or Journals@MTSU. Take a look at some of the example journals listed above to get an idea what they look like and what each format has to offer.

Then, fill out the form to setup an intitial meeting to talk about your goals and the ways we can help you get started.

During this meeting we will ask you to sign a MOU/Agreement that outlines the library and the editorial team's repsonsibilities. We will also need some basic information in order to setup your journal including:

• Journal name
• Preferred abbreviation of the journal
• Primary contact information (name, email)
• Names and emails of editorial team
• Brief description of the journal to be displayed on the library's journal page
• ISSN or EISSN if applicable

This information will help us create your shell site and you will be sent login details. Then you can begin to enter additional material about the journal (focus, scope, submission information, copyright policies, creative commons licensing, assign roles for your editorial team members, etc).