During 2017, we witnessed another important milestone as arXiv logged its one billionth download. Since its inception in 1991 with a focus on the high energy physics community, arXiv has significantly expanded both its subject coverage and user base. We recently added Electrical Engineering and Systems Science (EESS) and Economics (Econ) as new subject domains. During 2017, the repository saw 123,523 new submissions and submissions and over 187 million downloads from all over the world. arXiv has an international scope, with submissions and readership from around the world, and collaborations with U.S. and foreign professional societies and other international organizations.
Next Generation arXiv
Based on a series of
vision-setting processes that were held during 2016, in 2017 we have embarked on the next-generation arXiv (arXiv-NG) initiative with a cornerstone
grant of $450,000 from the Sloan Foundation to improve the service’s core infrastructure. The ongoing Phase I planning activities (December 2016-May 2018) aim to evaluate different scenarios for the overall development and replacement process, settle on a specific one, and initiate technical development work. Based on our evaluation, we have decided to pursue a strategy of incremental and modular renewal of the existing arXiv system (“Classic Renewal”), rather than building an entirely new system and migrating to it. After assessing various technology components and partnership options, we are now in the process of finalizing an architecture and implementing some key technology components. An integral part of the arXiv-NG initiative is to consider new organizational and staffing models to ensure continuity in operations. Sustainability principles are at the heart of the arXiv-NG initiative. We anticipate that gradual transition to a next-generation arXiv (arXiv-NG) will require an additional two years. As we continue developing arXiv-NG, we are committed to continue arXiv's robust services.
arXiv: Financial Update
arXiv's funding and governance for the current operation is based on a membership program that engages libraries and research laboratories worldwide that represent the repository's heaviest institutional users. Currently, we have 221 members representing 27 countries. arXiv's 2018-2022 sustainability plan includes the following sources of funding:
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The
2018 Roadmap includes our goals as we strive to improve the technical infrastructure, moderation system, user support, and the sustainability framework. Additional information about arXiv is available on
arXiv Public Wiki, including annual budgets, reports, roadmaps, and
arXiv.org blog. As it is evident from this brief update, changes are afoot for arXiv, including new initiatives and funding sources, all aimed at ensuring that the scientific scholarship repository remains free, open, essential and sustainable. We salute the contributions of 170 volunteer moderators who are crucial to our operation. We remain grateful for strong support from our member organizations, Simons Foundation, and essential contributions from arXiv's advisory groups as they consistently provide us with input as representatives of scientific and library communities.
Also we'd like to thank the Sloan Foundation and the Heising-Simons Foundation for their generous support of the arXiv-NG initiative.
Cornell University Library, arXiv LeadershipTeam
Oya Y. Rieger (Program Director), Steinn Sigurdsson (Scientific Director), Jim Entwood (Operations Manager), Martin Lessmeister (IT Lead), Sandy Payette (Technology Strategy Advisor), Erick Peirson (Lead Architect), Gail Steinhart (Program Associate)
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