Perspectives from librarians and publishers
On 26 September 2024, De Gruyter hosted 90 minutes of incredible conversation on how the Subscribe to Open (S2O) model may be the answer to a sustainable transition to open access. The webinar featured a moderator and speakers from Xiamen University, Australian National University, Annual Reviews, AIP Publishing and De Gruyter Brill to explore in detail the ins and outs of the S2O model for an open access future. Access the full recording or read the summary and panel discussion below to understand the perspective of both libraries and publishers.
Welcome
Chen Juan, Deputy University Librarian (Xiamen University), welcomed attendees and kicked off with an opening remark about the nature of open access publishing and evolving subscription paywalls.
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Perspectives from libraries
Roxanne Missingham, University Librarian (Australian National University), commented on how, through open access, libraries are making a significant difference in opening access to knowledge. She shared the many factors that affect a library’s decision to choose between the different open access models in the market and why libraries should continue on their journey to achieve an open access future despite the many challenges faced.
"It's not one way. It's not one solution. But this is an initiative that is very important for us to support and to continue to experiment with."
Roxanne Missingham
University Librarian, Australian National University
Key takeaways
- A lot depends on the availability of resources in communities, funding mandates, author interests, institutional interests and the capacity of libraries to deliver.
- Libraries have a very important existing role in both curating knowledge and helping authors get published in an appropriate way. There are new opportunities in how we can assist that research to reach communities and audiences that might have commercial or community impact.
- Within that same environment, libraries have constrained resources. That’s why we have to be creative and explore different options.
- De Gruyter is not only experimental in its open access approach but also prioritises the relationship with libraries, authors and editors to try to achieve something innovative while recognising that there will be a diversity of models that will be required for the foreseeable future.
“Our overall goal for the future is bold – a vision of online, accessible and paywall-free resources. And S2O is an important part of this landscape but sits within an environment where libraries have a range of different motivational factors and a range of different priorities.”
The three models for librarians when it comes to open access:
Print collection replica
Unbundled platforms
On-premises library
The top six factors that librarians look at when choosing the open access model
Attainable
Libraries want something practical and attainable. Fundamental decisions about collections need to be something they can actually achieve.
Affordable
A solution that fits within the library’s budget framework.
Sustainable
Not an interim solution but one for the long term, and this is where partnership with publishers is important, as the content will be secured and well-managed to enable contributions from libraries at any one time.
Permanent
One of the great characteristics of the model is that when a threshold is reached, the material is available permanently and does not require either a subscription with a publisher or a specific journal.
Academic quality
Libraries are willing to compromise when necessary to make the most high-quality material available in a way that libraries can afford.
