Library services

We provide scholarly support to IUCN researchers and are working to expand Open Access to conservation knowledge.

Scholarly support to IUCN researchers

All IUCN constituencies

The IUCN Library Team offers assistance with publishing in external (non-IUCN) sources, including help with: journal selection, peer-review policies, publishers’ editorial policies, understanding donors’ open-access requirements.

We also provide support on understanding and using research tools, such as: research profiles, bibliography and reference management, publication metrics, social media performance, copyright policies, etc.

HQ-based Secretariat staff

The IUCN Library Team offers physical loans of items in our collection, as well as interlibrary loans, to HQ-based IUCN Secretariat staff.

IUCN Secretariat staff worldwide

We offer assistance to IUCN Secretariat staff worldwide with finding and accessing journal articles and other conservation literature for use in their research.

Open Access

As the world’s largest environmental network, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between the open access movement and the conservation community, as part and parcel of its historic efforts to facilitate access to knowledge on nature conservation.

With the assistance of the Arcadia Fund, the IUCN Library is extending access to conservation knowledge by providing guidance and outreach to the IUCN conservation community on the fundamentals of open access and supporting the development of an IUCN Open Access policy.

Open Access Week

From October 24 to 28 2022, IUCN participated in International Open Access Week for the very first time. IUCN’s very own Library and Publishing colleagues organized 5 sessions covering different topics, including on “Open for climate justice”, this year's theme. Our goal was for attendees to come away with greater knowledge and awareness on open access and scholarly communications more generally, and to inspire IUCN to solidify its open access foundations.

Session Link to presentation Link to video
State of open access at IUCN today Presentation Video
Revenue generation models compatible with open access

Presentation Frances Pinter

Presentation Ryan King

Video
Tools and tips for producing your IUCN publication Presentation Video
Opening knowledge for climate justice   Video
Tools and tips for publishing open-access journal articles Presentation Video

For advice and support regarding open access, please get in contact with our Scholarly Communications Librarian.