NCBI Bookshelf. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
About Bookshelf [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Center for Biotechnology Information (US); 2010-.
This page describes the process for including content in Bookshelf as well as the pre-application requirements. Any content provider that submits an application that meets all the pre-application requirements undergoes an evaluation process. As part of the evaluation process, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) considers the scope of the content as well as its scientific and editorial quality. Content selected for inclusion in Bookshelf is also evaluated on technical quality. Content providers are encouraged to read through all steps and review Bookshelf’s information for authors and publishers.
Pre-Application Requirements
For Content
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The content must be peer reviewed |
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The content provider must be able to provide NLM with a PDF or Word document of the content or immediate access to it at a publisher or third-part site |
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The full text of the content must be available in English |
For Content Providers
NLM looks for ongoing content provider conformance with published guidelines and best practices, including OAPEN Guides for OA monographs, IOM Committee on Standards for Developing Trustworthy Clinical Practice Guidelines, OER Authoring Resources, PRISMA guidelines, CARE case report guidelines, CONSORT, and ARRIVE.
Evaluation and Setup Process
Submit Application → Screening → Scientific Quality Review → Technical Evaluation → Preview → Live Release
Submit Application
Information you’ll need to submit when applying
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Title of proposed content | |
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URL, PDF, or Word document of full text of proposed content | |
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Publisher name and information about its management, qualifications, and publishing policies | |
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Abstract or description of content | |
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Copyright holder | |
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Information about the authors and editors, including links to bios or CVs | |
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For more information and a link to the Bookshelf application, see our information for authors and publishers or contact vog.hin.mln.ibcn@flehskoob | |
Initial Application Screening
Once received, NLM will check that the application is complete and meets the pre-application requirements. NLM will communicate any inconsistencies about the application back to the applicant. If the application is complete, NLM will determine if the content is appropriate for Bookshelf. Content providers who do not pass the initial application screening are eligible to reapply in 24 months.
Factors that determine if content is in scope for Bookshelf
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Peer-reviewed with a clearly stated peer-review policy |
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Generally, falls within the biomedical and life sciences |
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Web content and clinical resources are regularly reviewed and updated |
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The affiliations of the editors and authors should reflect the scope of the content and demonstrate editorial independence and diversity |
The following content types are in scope:
- Reference works, e.g., Dictionaries and Encyclopedias;
- and other types of Grey Literature.
In very exceptional cases, Bookshelf will consider self-published or independently sponsored works.
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Scientific Quality Review
After a thorough review of the content provider and its content, Bookshelf will inform the content provider whether the content meets Bookshelf’s scientific quality standard.
Content that does not meet this standard is eligible for reapplication in 24 months.
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Technical Evaluation
First, Bookshelf asks the content provider to fill out a Technical Evaluation Checklist, which must be returned to Bookshelf before starting any work on the evaluation.
For Collections and Updated Web Content
Next, if the content is a collection of documents or regularly updated content, the content provider submits a set of at least 3-5 sample documents that is representative of the collection’s content types and styles. The set of samples must meet Bookshelf’s File Submission Specifications. In addition, Bookshelf will request a cover image for the collection or website, as well as a brief description of the collection to appear on its landing page in Bookshelf.
For Books
If the content is a single book or other type of document, the content provider submits it to Bookshelf according to Bookshelf’s File Submission Specifications.
What does Bookshelf evaluate?
Bookshelf evaluates the content to ensure that:
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The XML Coding meets Bookshelf’s specifications, including explicit markup of all structural and textual elements of a source and enough metadata to build an accurate citation |
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The deposit adheres to Bookshelf’s File Submission Specifications |
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The presentation of the content, as generated from the XML and associated files, is an accurate, error-free representation of the version of record |
If necessary, the content provider must correct reported errors and submit a revised package for a subsequent round of evaluation.
If a deposit fails to meet Bookshelf’s file submission specifications at any stage of the application process, the application may be rejected.
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Preview
Once the content passes Bookshelf’s technical evaluation phase and is set up in Bookshelf’s systems, Bookshelf will request the following from the content provider:
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Approval of a preview of the content as generated from the XML and associated files |
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A formal NLM LitArch Participant Agreement |
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A complete set of document files belonging to an accepted collection or website according to the terms of the participant agreement |
Live Release
NLM countersigns the content provider’s LitArch Participation Agreement and releases the content to the Bookshelf public site with the content provider’s approval.
Ongoing participation in Bookshelf requires a content provider to continue to meet NLM's quality standards for Bookshelf and the NLM collection. The process for reevaluating accepted content is described in Bookshelf’s Reevaluation section.