Adding Works to Open Doors Collections

Post Header

Published:

2023-08-20 15:08:04 UTC

Translations:

Tags:

Spotlight on Open Doors banner

One of the main tasks of the OTW’s Open Doors project is to import at-risk archives of fanworks into AO3 collections.

As part of that task, Open Doors searches for works already posted to AO3 to avoid importing duplicates. Until now, the archivist account would then invite the found work to the archive’s collection and bookmark the work if the invitation wasn’t accepted.

Following recent changes to the collection invitation process, archivists now have the ability to automatically add a found work to the archive’s collection.

This will only apply to works that were originally hosted on an imported archive, and is limited to the archive collection only. Creators will receive an email notification when a work is added and can remove their works from collections at any time if they wish.

We try to contact creators during each archive import process to ask their preferences. However, if you don't want any of your works to be imported to AO3, please contact the Open Doors committee.

If you have further questions, please visit the Open Doors FAQ, or contact the Open Doors committee.

We look forward to helping preserve more at-risk fanworks!

- The Open Doors team

Commenting on this post will be disabled in 14 days, on 3 September. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments regarding this matter after that date, please contact Open Doors.

The Organization for Transformative Works is the non-profit parent organization of multiple projects including Archive of Our Own, Fanlore, Open Doors, Transformative Works and Cultures, and OTW Legal Advocacy. We are a fan run, entirely donor-supported organization staffed by volunteers. Find out more about us on our website.

Actions

Comments

Sorry, this news post doesn't allow comments.

chickenvegan2011 Sun 20 Aug 2023 06:52PM UTC

Not a question about this specifically, but I often wonder if anybody knows of any plans to include The Circuit Archive here? There's a lot of fandom history there. https://www.thecircuitarchive.com/

Comment Actions
- Thread
1. OTW_Open_Doors (Official) Sun 20 Aug 2023 09:56PM UTC
  
  Hi, chickenvegan2011,
  I'm not sure if The Circuit Archive is at-risk, but we can investigate whether this archive meets our criteria for rescue and, if so, ask the mod if they would be interested in working with us. We aren't able to import an archive without the consent of its moderator, so please cross your fingers for their reply.
  In the meantime, if you would like to help preserve the history of The Circuit, please consider documenting it on Fanlore! If you have any questions about how to create or expand a Fanlore page, please let us know.
  Thank you for thinking of us!
  all the best, Julie
  Open Doors
  
  Comment Actions
  - Thread
  - Parent Thread
(Previous comment deleted.)
1. OTW_Open_Doors (Official) Mon 21 Aug 2023 04:36AM UTC
  
  Hi, Ehentalix,
  Archivist accounts on AO3 have a few additional functions, in order to enable the importing of at-risk archives as part of the Open Doors project - and they can now directly add an existing work to the archive collection. These functions are limited to the archive collection itself, and will only be used for works that were posted to the original archive.
  Creators can always opt out of an import, remove their works from a collection, or ask to be added to our "Never Import" list. If you (or any other creator reading this) would like to do any of those things, please let us know via the Open Doors contact form: https://opendoors.transformativeworks.org/en/contact-open-doors/
  We announce any import in multiple locations, and the archive's moderator and Open Doors attempt to contact creators directly during the import process. There is also always an email address included in the archive collection's profile so that anyone can get in touch. A creator's stated wishes are always respected.
  I hope this context helps to explain our approach to this functionality. Thank you for commenting!
  all the best, Julie
  Open Doors
  
  Comment Actions
  - Thread
  - Parent Thread
2. 1. (Previous comment deleted.)
  2. 1. Eli0t Mon 21 Aug 2023 05:48AM UTC
      
      Not a volunteer but my understanding of how Open Doors works is that effectively you have already consented to it being in the collection. Basically, imagine you wrote a book and gave a copy to John Green to add to his book collection/personal library. And then years later, John Green donated his book collection to a local library, including your book. And the library set up a little display that said "John Green's personal library" and included your book. It doesn't really matter if you had also given a copy of your book to the library. The library isn't really obligated to not have your book be on the special display, but if you asked them nicely they probably would remove your book and put it back on the normal shelf. AO3 just makes that process easier since you can remove it yourself or tell them up front you don't want your books put on special displays.
      
      Comment Actions
      - Thread
      - Parent Thread
    2. 1. (Previous comment deleted.)
      2. Eli0t Mon 21 Aug 2023 06:31AM UTC
        
        1: you have no expressly stated you don't want your works collected. Thats the default and most people would have some exceptions to that such as specifically this type of case. If you want to expressly not give consent, that process is outlined in this post.
        2: by giving your book to someone (posting your fic to an archive somewhere) you are giving them permission to host that book wherever their collection lives. Just because the collection physically moved from being in John Green's house to being in a public library (or in a better example, moving from a small local library to a larger inner city library) it doesn’t suddenly change the fact that it's in that collection that you put it into. Its just being hosted somewhere else.
        3:
        At no point have I said I wanted my work associated with the John Green collection.
        You did actually. By putting it onto that archive. If you didn't want it associated with that archive, why did you crosspost it into that archive and directly associate them? Don't associate your works with the things you don't want it to be associated with? Or at least follow the process outlined in this post for how to prevent or undue an association once a crossposted work of yours moves servers onto AO3?
        
        Comment Actions
        
        Thread
        
        Parent Thread
irrationalpie Sun 20 Aug 2023 10:06PM UTC

I found the following phrasing confusing:
Following recent changes to the collection invitation process, archivists now have the ability to automatically add a found work to the archive’s collection.
The linked change suggests that previously, it was possible to bypass invitations and automatically add works if a work author allowed automatically adding their works to collections, but that that setting is now gone. So I'm not sure how it follows that archivists can now (but not previously) automatically add works to collections. Or is this post announcing that archivists/the archive collection will now have special permissions which will allow this?

Comment Actions
- Thread
1. Ehentalix Sun 20 Aug 2023 10:18PM UTC
  
  This post is announcing that archivists can now ignore an author's preferences and add a work to a collection even if the author has not turned on collection invitations.
  
  Comment Actions
  - Thread
  - Parent Thread
2. 1. irrationalpie Sun 20 Aug 2023 10:20PM UTC
    
    Thanks for the clarification!
    
    Comment Actions
    - Thread
    - Parent Thread
  2. A_Dark_Elderberry_Place Thu 24 Aug 2023 12:51PM UTC
    
    To me, this reads less as "archivists can ignore authors' preferences" and more "respecting authors' preferences as an Open Doors archivist rather than as an ordinary AO3 user is a more involved process that involves actually contacting authors and asking them directly what they want done with their work".
    It means that when an author has told Open Doors that they'd like their works added to a collection, the archivists can do that without the author having to log in and change their account settings.
    
    Last Edited Thu 24 Aug 2023 12:52PM UTC
    
    Comment Actions
    - Thread
    - Parent Thread
3. OTW_Open_Doors (Official) Mon 21 Aug 2023 04:39AM UTC
  
  Hi, irrationalpie,
  Thank you for commenting! Your latter point is correct. Archivist accounts on AO3 have a few additional functions, in order to enable the importing of at-risk archives as part of the Open Doors project - and they can now directly add an existing work to the archive collection. These functions are limited to the archive collection itself, and will only be used for works that were posted to the original archive.
  Creators can always opt out of an import, remove their works from a collection, or ask to be added to our "Never Import" list. If you (or any other creator reading this) would like to do any of those things, please let us know via the Open Doors contact form: https://opendoors.transformativeworks.org/en/contact-open-doors/
  I hope that helps!
  all the best, Julie
  Open Doors
  
  Comment Actions
  - Thread
  - Parent Thread
Quantum_Reality Mon 21 Aug 2023 01:25AM UTC

Does this mean the FictionAlley import will finally be accelerated?

Comment Actions
- Thread
1. OTW_Open_Doors (Official) Mon 21 Aug 2023 04:44AM UTC
  
  Hi, Quantum_Reality,
  Thank you for commenting! I can't promise an acceleration as such, but I can promise that we are still working hard at the FictionAlley import. Unfortunately it requires a lot of behind-the-scenes technical work, and it is difficult to predict when this might be complete.
  We are very aware of the lengthy timeframe this import has already taken. It will certainly be a day for celebrating when we can finally announce that FictionAlley is settled into its new home!
  all the best, Julie
  Open Doors
  
  Comment Actions
  - Thread
  - Parent Thread
PhoenixNoKiseki (LinkinPhoenix) Mon 21 Aug 2023 06:08AM UTC

How at risk is Fanfiction.net and do you think that could ever be brought in?

Comment Actions
- Thread
1. OTW_Open_Doors (Official) Mon 21 Aug 2023 12:10PM UTC
  
  Hi, PhoenixNoKiseki,
  We don't have any particular insight into Fanfiction.net's future - though judging by their Twitter feed they certainly seem to be a going concern!
  Also, at the moment (due to the size of our backlog of archives to be imported with our semi-automated process), we're not currently doing any proactive outreach to moderators of any archives exceeding 1,000 works. If the Fanfiction.net moderators were ever interested in making a new home here on AO3, I'm sure we would love to help. For now, we wish them fair winds and following seas.
  Thank you for thinking of us!
  all the best, Julie
  Open Doors
  
  Comment Actions
  - Thread
  - Parent Thread
Cutejohn1234 Mon 21 Aug 2023 10:01PM UTC

"i just wanna get high in the moonlight"

Comment Actions
- Thread
AuthorToBeNamedLater Mon 21 Aug 2023 11:07PM UTC

What makes an archive at-risk? I recently found one from the late 90s/early aughts and was thinking about contacting Open Doors about it.

Comment Actions
- Thread
1. OTW_Open_Doors (Official) Tue 22 Aug 2023 01:47AM UTC
  
  Hi, AuthorToBeNamedLater,
  Please feel free to contact us about the archive via our contact form: https://opendoors.transformativeworks.org/en/contact-open-doors/
  If it looks like something we can offer to help with, then we'll try to contact the moderator - and they are in the best position to decide whether their archive is at-risk or not.
  Common reasons for an archive being at-risk of going offline include old/corrupt code, failing servers, or other lack of resources for technical maintenance. Also, the moderator might no longer have the time, energy, or financial resources to keep the archive online.
  I hope that helps!
  all the best, Julie
  Open Doors
  
  Comment Actions
  - Thread
  - Parent Thread
patchygrimoire Tue 22 Aug 2023 12:32AM UTC

Hello, I don't know much about the process, what exactly constitutes an archive as "at risk?"

Comment Actions
- Thread
1. OTW_Open_Doors (Official) Tue 22 Aug 2023 01:50AM UTC
  
  Hi, Yuribunns,
  Thank you for asking! The archive's moderator is in the best position to decide whether their archive is at-risk or not.
  Common reasons for an archive being at-risk of going offline include old/corrupt code, failing servers, or other lack of resources for technical maintenance. Also, the moderator might no longer have the time, energy, or financial resources to keep the archive online.
  I hope that helps!
  all the best, Julie
  Open Doors
  
  Comment Actions
  - Thread
  - Parent Thread
naname2 Tue 22 Aug 2023 03:45AM UTC

Adultfanfiction is at risk ? Do you have plans to add the archive in the collection ?

Comment Actions
- Thread
1. EJR_HorseLady Tue 22 Aug 2023 05:46AM UTC
  
  I’ve been wondering about AFF too since I’ve learned about the Open Door Project. I would love to hear AO3’s thoughts about this.
  
  Comment Actions
  - Thread
  - Parent Thread
2. OTW_Open_Doors (Official) Tue 22 Aug 2023 12:41PM UTC
  
  Hi, naname2,
  We don't have any plans to approach Adult-FanFiction.org at present, and we don't have any specific information about whether the archive is at-risk.
  As you may have read above, (due to the size of our backlog of archives to be imported with our semi-automated process) we're not currently doing any proactive outreach to moderators of any archives exceeding 1,000 works. If the Adult-FanFiction.org moderators were interested in making a new home here on AO3, I'm sure we'd love to help. For now, we wish them safe travels.
  Thank you for thinking of us!
  all the best, Julie
  Open Doors
  
  Comment Actions
  - Thread
  - Parent Thread
JohnnyJacobs Tue 22 Aug 2023 04:29AM UTC

Good news and on my birthday! :)
I cant wait to see HarryPotterFanFiction in it's fullest here!

Comment Actions
- Thread
1. OTW_Open_Doors (Official) Tue 22 Aug 2023 12:44PM UTC
  
  Happy birthday, JohnnyJacobs!
  We can't wait, either! Our team is working hard on importing HarryPotterFanFiction.com, and I'm looking forward to the mass celebration that will no doubt occur once it's settled in.
  Hope you're having an awesome day!
  all the best, Julie
  Open Doors
  
  Comment Actions
  - Thread
  - Parent Thread
DevilWithABirdDress Tue 22 Aug 2023 10:44PM UTC

thank you all for working to preserve fandom community's history <3

Comment Actions
- Thread
1. OTW_Open_Doors (Official) Wed 23 Aug 2023 12:17AM UTC
  
  Hi, DevilWithABirdDress,
  It's absolutely our pleasure! Thank you for your kind support.
  all the best, Julie
  Open Doors
  
  Comment Actions
  - Thread
  - Parent Thread
susabei Tue 22 Aug 2023 10:57PM UTC

My dream is to have Lunaescence imported here one day :( so many lost fics!! I tried finding answers, but so far it's been a dead end...I still hold out hope, though!

Comment Actions
- Thread
1. OTW_Open_Doors (Official) Wed 23 Aug 2023 12:32AM UTC
  
  Hi, susabei,
  Thank you for thinking of us! That looks like a rather... challenging project for many reasons, but it seems that Lunaescence (or parts thereof) has been saved on the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20230000000000*/https://www.lunaescence.com/
  Can you please send us your request, along with whatever details you have, via our contact form: https://opendoors.transformativeworks.org/en/contact-open-doors/
  We can at least investigate the feasibility of an import. Thanks again!
  all the best, Julie
  Open Doors
  
  Comment Actions
  - Thread
  - Parent Thread
bertilak Wed 23 Aug 2023 07:10AM UTC

wow, you guys are so cool! just, how many archives are being imported rn?

Comment Actions
- Thread
1. OTW_Open_Doors (Official) Wed 23 Aug 2023 01:51PM UTC
  
  Hi, bertilak, and thank you! We think you're pretty darn' cool yourself.
  We currently have about 20 archives in various stages of the import process. And some will take longer than others! You can find out more about them, if you like, via our page on Fanlore: https://fanlore.org/wiki/Open_Doors
  all the best, Julie
  Open Doors
  
  Comment Actions
  - Thread
  - Parent Thread
writtenuniverse Fri 25 Aug 2023 08:11PM UTC

I wonder if it would ever be possible to import fanfiction originally published on Livejournal - I can see several reasons why this could prove difficult, but so much stuff is dormant on there as it was THE fan space for a while.

Comment Actions
- Thread
1. OTW_Open_Doors (Official) Sat 26 Aug 2023 01:44AM UTC
  
  Hi, writtenuniverse,
  It is indeed possible to import archives from LiveJournal - but as you no doubt realise, it is a very manual process of copy-and-pasting and posting individual works. There is no database which we can import via our semi-automated process, as there would be for e.g. an eFiction site.
  We have a few LiveJournal import projects current at the moment. If you have another one to suggest, please feel free to contact us directly: https://opendoors.transformativeworks.org/en/contact-open-doors/
  Thank you for your interest!
  all the best, Julie
  Open Doors
  
  Comment Actions
  - Thread
  - Parent Thread
Bolt_DMC Sat 26 Aug 2023 11:36AM UTC

Just discovered that a website of old fanfic for “The Lion King” called “Snow Lands” will have its content preserved via the Open Door Project (found out too late to comment on the announcement itself). It’s a must that includes several fandom gems, including two influential classics from the ‘90s, “Chronicles of the Pridelands” and “Tales of Tanabi.” Most of the older websites that archived older TLK fanfic have since disappeared, but this one was still extant. So glad to see it will have its content preserved here.
I had called the site to your attention a couple years ago and am incredibly happy to see my suggestion resulted in that archive being brought over. Thank you — you folks do wonderful work! Really appreciate it.

Comment Actions
- Thread
1. OTW_Open_Doors (Official) Sun 27 Aug 2023 12:24AM UTC
  
  Hi, Bolt_DMC, and thank you for your kind words!
  We're as delighted as you are to welcome Snow Lands to its new home. I'm so glad we're able to start making your wish come true.
  Thank you for bringing this archive to our attention. There is obviously lots to look forward to here as the import progresses!
  all the best, Julie
  Open Doors
  
  Comment Actions
  - Thread
  - Parent Thread

AO3 News