University Library

Self-Archiving Services

Advisory Services

TU affiliates can use the repository DepositOnce to publish research data and publications and make use of our self-archiving service to check the legal requirements.

Many publishers have policies and special requirements regarding reuse of own publications as well as preprints and open access self-archiving. We are happy to advise you on what needs to be taken into account in general and which tools you can use to check the legal requirements.

Service

If you want to use the TU Berlin repository DepositOnce: For journal articles, book chapters and articles in conference proceedings that were published in the past five years and with a TU affiliation the University Library checks the legal requirements for self-archiving.

Our offer

  • Checking the legal requirements for self-archiving
  • Contact with publishers to obtain necessary rights
  • If necessary, preparing the files and posting them on the repository DepositOnce

Required information

  • List of TU-affiliated publications: list of DOIs (Digital Object Identifier)
  • In case a DOI doesn't exist: list of publications in structured format (BibTeX, RIS)
  • Deposit licence (written permission for self-archiving)
  • Accepted manuscript(s) (upon request).

Open Access Rights with Alliance and National Licenses

The University Library has reached special agreements with some publishers that include open access rights. In those cases, it is possible to self-archive articles (co-)authored by researchers from our university in the university’s repository. The University Library is gradually making use of this right.

Recommendations for Self-Archiving

Right to self-archive

Please consider your right to self-archive. The database SHERPA/RoMEO provides a good overview over what publishers permit. Please note that the information in this database is not legally binding – your publishing contract is always authoritative. In addition, in certain cases you also have legal rights that are valid independently of the publishing agreement (more Information). We will be happy to advise you on which rights you have in individual cases!

Supplements to publishing agreements

If possible, do not transfer exclusive rights to the publisher. You can enclose the SPARC Author Addendum to your contract to reserve the non-exclusive right to self-archive your article in a repository. In order to be legally valid this supplement has to be countersigned by the publisher.

Archiving in repositories

Repositories like DepositOnce ensure permanent availability and guarantee better visibility of the content. Neither is guaranteed when uploading full texts to personal and institutional websites or academic networks.

Recommendations for online publications

You should self-archive as soon as possible on a repository (e.g. DepositOnce - the institutional repository of TU Berlin). Depending on the publishing agreement your publication will either be available immediately or after an embargo period. Sometimes the publisher´s version is permitted to be used in the repository, other publishers only allow the use of the accepted manuscript (“postprint” or “final draft”).

Do not use your personal or institutional website to self-archive. DepositOnce ensures permanent availability (by DOIs) and guarantees the visibility of the publications in scholarly search engines (such as BASE), library catalogues and many other search platforms.

Archiving in academic networks

The use of academic networks (e.g. ResearchGate and Academia.edu) is certainly advisable for networking, but not sufficient from an Open Access perspective. These platforms are commercially operating companies, whose development and sustainability are not predictable. Furthermore, in most cases self-archiving on commercial platforms is not permitted by publishers (more information).

Further Information

Self-Archiving Services

openaccess@ub.tu-berlin.de

Building Universitätsbibliothek
Address Fasanenstr. 88
10236 Berlin
Michaela VoigtTel.: +49 30 314-76130

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