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CDL Public Statement on Signing the Barcelona Declaration

April 23, 2025 Author: John ChodackiCategories:

California Digital Library (CDL) is proud to formally sign the Barcelona Declaration on Open Research Information and commit to supporting and participating in open, transparent and community-governed research information systems.

The values articulated in the Barcelona Declaration – openness, transparency, inclusivity and the commitment to public infrastructure – resonate deeply with CDL’s mission and long-standing efforts. From our leadership roles in initiatives such as Crossref, DataCite, the Research Organization Registry (ROR), and the US National Persistent Identifier (PID) Strategy to our stewardship of open services and platforms, CDL has consistently worked to reduce barriers, enable interoperability, and build trusted, community-led infrastructure.

What Does the Barcelona Declaration Mean in Practice for CDL?

  • Prioritizing Open Systems: We will continue to prioritize the use and support of open PIDs, metadata, and community standards across all our services. This includes ensuring that our platforms interoperate with and contribute to open research information sources.
  • Transparency in Operations and Partnerships: We will maintain transparency in how research information is collected, curated and shared, and will favor partnerships with organizations that align with open, community-driven governance models.
  • Global Collaboration and Local Empowerment: We will actively participate in cross-institutional, national and international efforts to advance open research information while ensuring that University of California (UC) scholars and libraries can benefit from
    and contribute to these efforts.
  • Broadening Participation: Our commitment includes fostering diversity in the development and governance of research information infrastructure, ensuring that underrepresented voices are included and empowered.
  • Ongoing Evaluation: We will periodically assess our services and policies to ensure they reflect the values of the Barcelona Declaration, and will share updates with the community to promote accountability.

By signing the Barcelona Declaration, CDL affirms that open research information is not only a public good, but also a foundation upon which more efficient and trustworthy scholarly communication can be built. We invite our partners and peers to join us in advancing this shared vision.

More information is available on the OSC blog.