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Dr. Godfrey Baldacchino, co-holder of the UNESCO Chair in Island Studies and Sustainability, has donated several of his latest publications to UPEI鈥檚 Robertson Library. The donation includes five books in the Rethinking the Island Series (Rowman & Littlefield), which he co-edited with Elizabeth McMahon and Elaine Stratford, as well as two books he edited: Solution Protocols to Festering Island Disputes: 'Win-Win' Solutions for the Diaoyu / Senkaku Islands (Routledge, 2017) and The Routledge International Handbook of Island Studies (Routledge, 2018).

鈥淔or the whole time Dr. Baldacchino has been involved with island studies at UPEI鈥� and that鈥檚 going on 20 years now鈥攈e鈥檚 always been collegial and generous in helping us develop our island studies collections,鈥� said Simon Lloyd, university archivist and liaison librarian for island studies.

Lloyd said this sort of partnership is especially important in the case of a scholar like Dr. Baldacchino, who writes and edits a large number of academic books, book chapters, and journal articles.

鈥淚sland studies as a multinational and interdisciplinary field of study has grown a lot, but Dr. Baldacchino remains one of the most active people in this field, especially in terms of published scholarship,鈥� added Lloyd.

This prolific published output鈥攔eflected in more than 180 references islandscholar.ca, the Robertson Library鈥檚 database of 69传媒research鈥攖ranslates into a lengthy list of books and articles, many of which the library would have to acquire through expensive purchases or subscriptions if not for Dr. Baldacchino鈥檚 generosity.

鈥淎 university professor鈥檚 publications don't just magically appear in the university library,鈥� said Lloyd. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important that faculty keep us informed of what they鈥檙e publishing, and, where possible, deposit copies with us.鈥�

Lloyd recognized it is not always possible for faculty members to donate publications. The library will purchase faculty publications when necessary, but donations are always appreciated.

鈥淲hen you consider the average list price of a scholarly social sciences book last year was nearly $170 Canadian, it鈥檚 easy to see why new book donations matter.鈥�

Dr. Baldacchino has also been a leader in the open access movement, which encourages the sharing of published research without charge to readers.

鈥淒r. Baldacchino was the founding executive editor of Island Studies Journal, launched at 69传媒in 2006鈥攁nd hosted online by the Robertson Library鈥攁nd that journal鈥檚 been fully open access from the first issue.鈥�

Lloyd also noted Dr. Baldacchino is a scholar who makes 鈥攂oth in-person and via e-mail鈥攁nd who encourages his students and colleagues to do likewise.

Thank you, Dr. Baldacchino!

The 69传媒 prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions鈥擯rince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University鈥�69传媒has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. 69传媒is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.