Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Lost Library?

The Lost Library is a digital archive that preserves unpublished anthropological research, including incomplete, abandoned, or never-submitted work. It exists to address scholarly loss, research that disappears due to structural, personal, or institutional barriers. Additionally the archive values intellectual contribution over formal completion or publication status.

What kinds of work can be submitted?

Accepted:

  • Drafts, working papers, and incomplete manuscripts

  • Unpublished theses, chapters, or articles

  • Work intended for publication (even if never submitted or finished)

Not accepted:

  • Raw field notes or data records

  • Personal correspondence, diaries, or informal materials

The work must have been written with the intent to publish.

Who can submit work?

  • The author

  • A colleague, student, or family member

If the submitter is not the author:

  • They must explain their relationship to the author

  • They must justify that the author would have supported submission

What determines whether a submission is accepted?

Acceptance is based on a small set of required core criteria (Section 1 of the form):

  • The work was intended for publication

  • Authorship is clearly established

  • Author consent is obtained (or justified if not possible)

  • Research meets ethical standards (e.g., IRB or equivalent approvals)

These are the only questions that affect acceptance.

What information is required to submit?

There are three categories of required information:

A. Submission (required for acceptance)

  • Name, email, ORCID (or N/A)

  • Authorship and consent confirmation

  • Approval confirmation

B. About the work (required for discoverability)

  • Title (or “Untitled”)

  • Keywords and geographic focus

  • Abstract/description

  • Document type and subfield

  • Language and approximate dates

C. File & rights (required for processing)

  • File upload

  • Copyright holder

  • Access or embargo preference

What information is optional?

Optional fields provide context but do not affect acceptance:

  • Author background (affiliation, position, research area)

  • Demographics (gender, race, etc.—private and not public)

  • Submission history (e.g., rejected, abandoned)

  • Reasons for non-publication (beyond the required basic explanation)

  • Funding sources and personal circumstances

  • Additional restrictions or notes

These are used to understand patterns of scholarly loss, not to evaluate submissions.

Does the work need to be complete or polished?

No. The archive accepts work at any stage, including:

  • Outlines

  • Drafts

  • Partially completed manuscripts

  • Complete but unpublished work

What about research ethics and approval?

Submitters must confirm that:

  • The research was approved by relevant ethics bodies (Institutional Review Board (IRB), tribal, national), or

  • A clear explanation is provided if not applicable

This ensures ethical integrity while still allowing for historical or non-standard cases.

Does the author have to consent?

Yes, when possible.

If consent cannot be obtained:

  • The submitter must provide justification (e.g., prior intent to publish, estate approval)

Who can access the submitted work?

Access is controlled by the submitter:

  • Fully public

  • Registered users only

  • Archive staff only

  • Embargoed until a future date

Non-logged-in users can typically see only the first page of a submission

Who owns the copyright?

Copyright remains with:

  • The author, co-authors, or institution

Submitters choose how the work is shared (open, restricted, or embargoed).

Can I remove my publication after it has been uploaded?

Yes, you can request for your document to be taken down. Email AnthrosLostLibrary@proton.me.

Why does the form ask about failure, interruption, or non-publication?

The archive seeks to preserve the reasons why research is lost, including:

  • Rejection or disciplinary gatekeeping

  • Career disruption or funding loss

  • Illness or personal circumstances

  • Time constraints

This information is:

  • Optional (beyond a basic required explanation)

  • Private

  • Used only in anonymized, aggregate research

How is this different from a traditional repository?

Traditional repositories focus on finalized, published, or institutionally approved work

The Lost Library:

  • Focuses on unpublished and incomplete research

  • Treats non-publication as valuable insight into academic systems

Why does this archive matter?

  • Preserves research that would otherwise disappear

  • Highlights inequities in academic publishing

  • Expands what counts as legitimate scholarly knowledge

What questions will I be asked when submitting?

Submission & Eligibility (Required for acceptance)

Required

  • What is your name?

  • What is your email address (for correspondence)?

  • What is your ORCID iD (or enter N/A)?

  • Does this submission meet the requirement that it is a written work intended for publication?

  • Are you the author of the work?

  • If not, what is your relationship to the author?

  • Has the author consented to this submission?

  • Can you confirm the research received appropriate ethics approval (IRB or equivalent)?

If applicable (conditional)

  • If the author cannot consent, why do you believe they would support submission?

  • If ethics approval is not applicable, please explain

About the Author

Required

  • Author name (as it should appear)

  • Preferred visibility of author name (public, restricted, anonymous)

  • Was this work co-authored?

  • Have co-authors approved the submission? (or explanation if not)

  • Author’s highest degree

Optional

  • Author ORCID iD

  • Author’s research focus

  • Author’s position at time of writing

  • Institutional affiliation

  • Author’s current position

Optional demographic questions (private)

  • Gender identity

  • Transgender identity

  • Sexual orientation

  • Race/ethnicity

  • Hispanic/Latinx identity

  • Disability status

  • First-generation college student status

About the Work (Required metadata)

Required

  • Title (or leave blank for “Untitled”)

  • Keywords (up to 5)

  • Geographic focus (up to 4)

  • Abstract or description

  • Document type (e.g., article, dissertation, working paper)

  • Relevant anthropological subfield(s)

  • Primary language of the work

  • Approximate year(s) written

  • Approximate year(s) of fieldwork

Status & History of the Work

Required (minimal)

  • What stage of completion is the work (scale/category)?

  • Why did this work not reach completion or publication?

Optional

  • Has the work been submitted elsewhere?

  • If yes, what was the outcome (rejected, withdrawn, etc.)?

  • What funding supported the work?

Context of Non-Publication (Optional, private)

  • What circumstances contributed to non-publication? (checkboxes such as illness, career disruption, funding loss, etc.)

  • What aspects of identity (if any) were relevant?

  • Why are you submitting the work now?

  • Additional narrative about the work’s history

  • May this information be used in anonymized research?

File Upload & Rights

Required

  • Upload your file (one file)

  • Who holds copyright to the work?

  • What access level do you want?

    • Open access

    • Restricted

    • Embargoed

Optional

  • Embargo details (dates/conditions)

  • Additional restrictions (e.g., community consent concerns)

  • Would you be open to a public-facing interview?