An Open Book: launching a library-based open access books hosting service

With new Plan S policies, developing guidance around Open Access publishing for academic books –– including the proposed UKRI policy requirements for monographs – and with relatively high book processing charges (BPCs) from publishers, it is more important than ever for libraries to engage with open access book publishing to provide support for their academics and students. It is even more important to be transparent – an open book – about the process, so that we can foster an open community between libraries.

The University of Edinburgh library is currently in the process of launching a books hosting service to support teaching and learning activities. The service will be free of charge to Edinburgh staff and students, and will enable them to publish textbooks, monographs and edited collections with full library support in the areas of hosting, technical support, indexing, policy development, best-practice guidance and workflow training. The service will launch in mid-2021 and we are keen to document and share our journey with the library community.

My poster would give an indication of the successes and learning points of the project so far and provide recommendations and conclusions. The poster will also include some anecdotal evidence from academic and student users to document the successes of the project to date.

The primary audience for this poster is the librarian who is beginning their own book hosting service, or who is considering it, as well as those interested in open book publishing.