3.2. A deep dive into the Open GLAM Survey: How does open GLAM in the UK measure up to the rest of the world?
Note: This section discusses data on all known instances of open GLAM activity. It takes a closer look at the GLAMs engaged to demonstrate the nuance and complexity of approaches taken.
The sample includes data as of 7 October 2021 from the Open GLAM Survey managed by Douglas McCarthy and Andrea Wallace.[1]
Each section signals whether the data discussed is Global, or for the United Kingdom and how it compares to the Rest of the world.
3.2.1. Open GLAM instances: geographic spread and open access scope
Globally, at least 1,208 institutions and organisations release some or all eligible data using open licences and public domain tools. Of these, the UK comprises 80 or 6.6% of open GLAM instances.
Global. GLAMs are located in 49 countries across Africa (1 total), Asia (28 total), Australasia (45 total), Europe (779 total), North America (319 total) and South America (33 total).[2]
A majority of 937 (77.6%) approach open access on a collections-by-collections basis. This means they release some eligible data under open licences or public domain tools. The remaining 271 (22.4%) approach open access as a matter of policy. This means they release all eligible data under open licences or public domain tools.
United Kingdom. GLAMs are distributed across the UK as follows: England (65 or 5.4% of Global GLAMs); Scotland (13 or 1.1%); Wales (2 or 0.2%). Museums, Universities and Other represent 80.0% (64) of open GLAMs. Libraries, Archives and Galleries represent 20.0% (16).
A majority (73 or 91.3% of UK GLAMs) release some eligible data under open licences or public domain tools. The remaining (7 or 8.7% of UK GLAMs) release all eligible data under open licences or public domain tools.
For total open GLAM instances, the UK (6.6%) and Sweden (6.6%) are third to the United States (24.2%) and Germany (13.0%). Despite this, the data shows 91.3% of UK instances approach open access as an exception, rather than the rule. Data on the top 10 countries is discussed further in Section 3.2.3 and in Appendix 3: Top 10 countries with open GLAM participation.
- ↑ Douglas McCarthy and Andrea Wallace, “Survey of GLAM open access policy and practice,” http://bit.ly/OpenGLAMsurvey, version on 7 October 2021
- ↑ Argentina (9); Aruba (1); Australia (23); Austria (8); Belgium (19); Brazil (9); Bulgaria (6); Cameroon (1); Canada (21); Chile (4); Croatia (2); Denmark (15); Estonia (7); Finland (16); France (62); Germany (157); Greece (9); Hungary (13); Iceland (1); India (1); Indonesia (5); Ireland (6); Israel (1); Italy (9); Japan (9); Latvia (1); Lithuania (7); Luxembourg (1); Mexico (6); Netherlands (49); New Zealand (22); Norway (40); Poland (73); Portugal (7); Qatar (1); Romania (7); Russia (9); Serbia (2); Slovakia (7); Slovenia (3); Spain (57); Sweden (80); Switzerland (34); Taiwan (1); Turkey (1); United Kingdom (80); United States (292); Uruguay (10); Venezuela (1). Non-national outliers include 4 organisations: European Space Agency (Europe); Khalili Collections, Biodiversity Heritage Library, and the UNESCO Archives (International).
