California Digital Library (CDL), a division of the University of California dedicated to advancing digital scholarship, has formally signed the Barcelona Declaration on Open Research Information. Through this action, CDL commits to supporting and participating in the development of open, transparent, and community-governed research information systems.
The principles outlined in the Barcelona Declaration, including openness, transparency, inclusivity, and the strengthening of public infrastructure, align closely with CDL’s long-standing initiatives. CDL has consistently contributed to efforts such as Crossref, DataCite, the Research Organization Registry (ROR), and the US National Persistent Identifier (PID) Strategy, working to reduce barriers, enable interoperability, and build trusted, community-led infrastructure across research ecosystems.
In practical terms, CDL’s adoption of the Declaration entails several commitments. The organization will continue to prioritize the use of open persistent identifiers (PIDs), metadata, and community standards across all platforms, ensuring interoperability with open research information sources. CDL will maintain transparency in the collection, curation, and dissemination of research information and will seek partnerships with entities that operate under open, community-driven governance frameworks.
Additionally, CDL will engage actively in cross-institutional, national, and international collaborations aimed at advancing open research information, while ensuring that University of California scholars and libraries both contribute to and benefit from these initiatives. Efforts to broaden participation will include fostering diversity in the development and governance of research infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on amplifying underrepresented voices.
CDL will also periodically evaluate its services and policies to ensure ongoing alignment with the values articulated in the Barcelona Declaration and will share progress updates with the wider community to promote transparency and accountability.
Through its endorsement of the Barcelona Declaration, CDL reinforces the view that open research information constitutes a public good and serves as a foundational element for enhancing the efficiency and trustworthiness of scholarly communication.
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