Open Access experts explore the radical re-thinking toward a large-scale APC-based business model

     

An Open Access webcast hosted by Library Journal and sponsored by Dove Medical Press

May 25, 2016, New York – An international panel of four OA experts participated in a discussion highlighting the advantages of a rapid transition towards a large-scale Open Access model. Titled “Who Pays the Freight? Open Access: The Future of Funding”, the webcast was hosted by Library Journal and sponsored by the Open Access publisher, Dove Medical Press. 

Moderated by Ann Okerson, Senior Adviser, The Center for Research Libraries, the online panel discussed the economic argument for a model funded by article processing charges (APCs), as well as the main challenges for accelerating transition.

“Ten years ago, Open Access was for idealists. It’s now become mainstream,” explained Okerson. “So, how do we get there at a greatly increased pace has become a key question today.”

The panel consisted of Ivy Anderson, Director of Collection Development and Management, California Digital Library, Michael Levine-Clark, Interim Dean and Director, University of Denver Libraries and Kai Geschuhn, Open Access and License Manager at Max Planck Digital Library, Munich, Germany. Both the California Digital Library and Max Planck Digital Library are running projects in transition modelling.

According to Geschuhn, “The time is right for sustainable frameworks and conditions (…) The subscription model is an anachronism in the digital age.” During her presentation, she outlined how the current global outlay of €7.6 billion ($8.5 billion) per year for subscriptions would fully cover an APC-funded model, and lead to potential savings of up to €3.6 billion ($4 billion) across the system.

Author preference, however, presented challenges to transition. Both Levine-Clark and Anderson discussed the tendency to choose journals that conferred reputation, with Open Access being a secondary or tertiary concern of many researchers. But, as Levine-Clark explained in response, “There’s great public good in providing free access to the research of my institution.”

The webcast is available On Demand at http://www.libraryjournal.com/openaccessinaction.  

About Dove Medical Press

Dove Medical Press Ltd is a privately held UK company specializing in the publication of Open Access peer-reviewed journals across the broad spectrum of science, technology and especially medicine. Dove Medical Press was founded with the objective of combining the highest editorial standards with the 'best of breed' new publishing technologies. Dove Medical Press launched their first journals in 2005.

Dove Medical Press is a member of OASPA, ALPSP, DOAJ, the Publisher's Association, HINARI and COPE.

About Library Journal

Founded in 1876, Library Journal is one of the oldest and most respected publications covering the library field. Over 75,000 library directors, administrators, and staff in public, academic, and special libraries read LJ. Library Journal reviews over 8000 books, audiobooks, videos, databases, and web sites annually, and provides coverage of technology, management, policy, and other professional concerns. For more information, visit http://www.libraryjournal.com. Library Journal is a publication of Media Source Inc., which also owns School Library Journal, The Horn Book publications, and Junior Library Guild.

Updated 30 June 2016