toolkits for project planning, and other useful documents that explain the non-copyright concerns that should inform access to materials in the public domain. These could help close gaps in expertise and improve the bargaining power of GLAMs during contract negotiations with other parties.
Improved messaging around open access
Messaging is incredibly important to the success of open GLAM in the UK. This applies to both GLAMs and to public users on the receiving end. Messaging should communicate what open access is, what it includes (and does not include) and its benefits.
Advocacy
A campaign is necessary to support wider open access uptake. In addition, advocacy could extend to sharing best practice and sharing failures, supporting networks and un-siloed conversations among GLAMs, and the GLAM sector.
Focus on access and reuse, rather than reaching new audiences
This takes a user-centred focus without gatekeeping or preventing delivery and reuse through technologies.
Supporting exceptions to open GLAM
Staff also need reassurance that not everything should be assumed as appropriate for open GLAM. There are many legitimate reasons why exceptions must be made, which may involve sensitive subject matter, contributions by children or young people, data protection concerns or other factors. Documenting and publishing examples would provide a form of transparency helpful for everyone involved.
Formal open access accreditation
One participant suggested exploring a formal open access accreditation for the GLAM sector. This could take the form of prerequisites that must be met before applying for funding schemes, which GLAMs could also advertise on websites as a form of endorsement.
New research on ‘future proofing’ open access
In addition to areas discussed in Section 5.4. Research on ‘future proofing’ open access can place the UK in a position to lead on research on open GLAM. This might include:
New ways to measure user engagement
Limited models often rely on access and rights management to monitor engagement and reuse. Participants noted desires for tools that measure engagement across collections (facilitated by open GLAM) rather than within collections or specific projects (facilitated by access barriers).
Specific strand of research on rights-related issues stemming from open access
Future proofing for open GLAM requires new research on topics related to privacy, cultural sensitivity, digital and intellectual property rights restitution, and user-generated intellectual property rights. One participant noted a need for a copyright study on data due to grey areas and the inability to call it back once integrated into structured data sources like Wikidata.
Technological solutions that achieve goals related to copyright but are better at mitigating risk and harm
