The shift from print to digital publishing has had a major impact on the way scholarship is created, disseminated, shared, and reviewed.
Traditional publishing models, where reader access is provided through individual or institutional subscriptions, now coexist with open access (OA) publishing models in which the cost of publishing is the responsibility of the content creator, allowing the reader free access to the content. Removing access barriers to scholarship allows for great participation in the research process and leads to the creation of new knowledge and breakthroughs (SPARC).
Butler University Libraries currently supports OA publishing through waivers for Article Processing Charges (APCs) through institutional-wide participation in transformative license agreements with specific publishers. Please visit the OA Publishing Discounts tab for a list of these publisher agreements.
The library and university do not provide direct funding for APCs. It is recommended that faculty seek funding for APCs in their grant applications, or through their departments if the options provided do not fit their needs.
Many publishers offer fee assistance programs which could include additional discounts or waivers if certain conditions are met. It is also important to note that many OA journals do not charge APCs or other fees. Please see the Directory of Open Access Journals or the Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association (OASPA) for more information about specific journals.
Open access (OA) publishing is more than just access to scholarship. It indicates the degree to which work can be shared and reused, and addresses the intellectual property questions related to the work.
The HowOpenIsIt Guide provides a summary of terminology related to OA and its concepts. It can be a reference to use when evaluating individual journal policies related to access, reuse, sharing, and copyright questions.
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