Reshaping and a Makeover – Preparing Old Services for New Times

Both nationally and internationally there is an increased focus on scholarly communication with community driven models, such as Diamond Open Access, being seen as more equitable than the present. The Norwegian document “Strategi for Norsk vitenskapelig publisering etter 2024”[1] also indicates that this is a way forward for Norway. This paradigm shift in scholarly communication may lead to changes in the publishing infrastructure and publishing culture. As an established part of the publishing ecology in Europe and Norway, erih+ and the Norwegian Registry must adhere to these changes and prepare to meet the future. Erih+, a European journal index for the SSH academic fields, is run and owned by the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. To increase the relevance and visibility by the international community, erih+ is adjusting to European needs and policy. To make sure that the developments and efforts are spent correctly, erih+ became member of the research infrastructure OPERAS in early 2023. The involvement in this research infrastructure has made it possible for erih+ to reshape and restructure the service in line with the current discussed policies. The actions erih+ is taking to meet the future are related to metadata, technology and cooperation with the community. The renewed erih+ is strengthening the ties to the community driven journals by making sure that they are supported, retrieved, shared and highlighted. This also include the Diamond journals which are in the centre of the many discussions concerning scholarly communication today. This presentation will focus on how the new times demand new priorities, and how technology and close bonds to the larger community is perceived as the best way forward for erih+. By focusing on technical innovations, improved metadata schema and an engagement in the European communities, erih+ will be a service equipped to meet the needs of the future. [1] https://www.openscience.no/strategi-norsk-vitenskapelig-publisering-etter-2024