The Public Knowledge Project is very pleased to announce the inaugural formation of PKP Advisory, Members and Technical Committees. This is an important step in PKP’s sustainability initiative and evolving governance structure. The initial members are participants and volunteers drawn from PKP’s partners and sponsors.

The Advisory Committee includes PKP’s major development partners and will provide guidance and advice on software development strategies and priorities, and PKP’s governance and organizational structure. Current members include:

Allan Bell, University of British Columbia Library
Tim Deliyannides, University of Pittsburgh - University Library System
Gwen Ebbott, University of Windsor Library (OCUL)
Chuck Eckman, Simon Fraser University Library
Catherine Mitchell, California Digital Library
Brian Owen, PKP (ex officio)
Kevin Stranack, PKP (ex officio)
John Willinsky, PKP (ex officio)

The Members Committee will provide a community-based forum for feedback on PKP software, support priorities and other services. Current members include:

Cynthia Archer, York University Library
Amy Buckland, McGill University Library
Mark Cyzyk, Johns Hopkins University Library
Geoff Harder, University of Alberta Libraries
Inba Kehoe, University of Victoria Library
Jennifer Laherty, Indiana University Library
Holly Mercer, University of Tennessee Libraries
Judith C. Russell, University of Florida Library
Beth Sandore Namachchivaya, University of Illinois Libraries
Kevin Stranack, PKP (ex officio)
Brian Owen, PKP (Acting Chair for Advisory Comm.)

The Technical Committee draws on the technical expertise of PKP’s major development partners and will provide technical input and advice on software development methodologies and priorities, and undertake related assignments. Current members include:

Allan Bell, University of British Columbia Library
Alan Darnell, Scholars Portal (OCUL)
Brian Gregg, University of Pittsburgh - University Library System
Barbara Hui, California Digital Library
Gabriela Mircea, University of Toronto Libraries (OCUL)
Lisa Schiff, California Digital Library
Jason Nugent, PKP (ex officio)
Alec Smecher, PKP (ex officio)

Collectively, the participants on these committees bring a range and depth of expertise to PKP that will be particularly helpful during this formative period. As PKP’s sustainability initiative proceeds and more partners and sponsors join, the composition of these committees will also reflect this growth. One of the first charges to the Members Committee in their first year of operation will be to review and recommend ways that the wider PKP community can be reflected in the composition of the committee.

The first PKP Annual General Meeting will be held in Vancouver on September 28, and will be the first opportunity for the committees to meet in person. The AGM also includes an open web cast on general PKP-related updates, and provides a great opportunity for potential sponsors and other PKP community members to learn about more ways they can participate in a variety of PKP activities. More information about connecting to this web cast will be available on the PKP web site in the coming days.

If you’re thinking about becoming a PKP sponsor, and need more information or have any questions, please contact Brian Owen. If you haven’t already considered becoming a PKP sponsor, please consider sitting in for the AGM’s open webcast.