Librarians, Scientific Publishing and Open Science: Competencies and challenges in an evolving ecosystem

ABSTRACT

Introduction:  Digitization and open science movements have significantly transformed editorial processes and outputs, requiring new competencies-knowledge, skills, and attitudes-from all professionals involved in scholarly publishing, including librarians.

Objective:  To map the competencies required and the challenges faced by librarians in the open science ecosystem, with emphasis on activities related to journal publishing. Methodology: The study combined a narrative literature review with interviews conducted with editors of Brazilian scholarly journals in Library and Information Science and related fields.

Results:  The most relevant competencies for librarians working in scholarly publishing include data management, scientific publishing, the use of traditional and alternative metrics, and the promotion of research integrity. The literature highlights the integration between journals, preprints, repositories, and open peer review systems, as well as the need for responsible use of metrics. Empirical data confirmed that practices such as open peer review, preprints, and open data still face resistance, lack of familiarity, and implementation difficulties in the LIS editorial field.

Conclusion:  The challenges faced by librarian editors span technical, educational, institutional, and financial dimensions, requiring the development of specific competencies. The ability to "learn how to learn" emerges as essential in keeping pace with ongoing technological and normative changes. Strengthening professional training, institutional support, and ethical editorial practices are fundamental to consolidating the strategic role of librarians in promoting open, inclusive, and socially engaged science.

KEYWORDS
Librarians; Scientific journals; Scholarly publishing; Professional competencies; Open science.