The culture of scientific publishing and the university press

This article discusses the present state of academic publishing at German universities in light of the current recommendations of the German Science Council (Wissenschaftsrat) and the Association of Universities and Other Higher Education Institutions in Germany (Hochschulrektorenkonferenz, HRK). Particular focus is given to common practices in monographic publications. An overview and characterization of Germany's university presses is provided and compared with the opinions of the authors and editors thereof. In addition, a qualitative evaluation of the relationship between grey literature to on-line publication servers, on the one hand, and this area to university presses, on the other hand, is attempted. It is concluded that university administrations should support these changing publishing practices as well as the development of university presses and online publication servers. Libraries also need to encourage this process, if need be, through re-allocation of their own resources.