UNIVERSITY PRESS LIBRARY OPEN Paradigm Publishing Services, the newly founded publishing services division of academic publisher De Gruyter, is taking a significant stride forward in shaping a financially sustainable business model for open access book publishing for its partner presses. In response to the call from the scholarly community, Paradigm Publishing Services, comprised of the University Press Library Group and Ubiquity, in collaboration with their publishing partners and libraries, proudly announces the launch of the University Press Library Open (UPLO), a comprehensive open access initiative and eBooks platform hosted by Ubiquity with a central focus on the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals. |
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Q.1. What is the University Press Library Open?
University Press Library Open (UPLO) is a new open access initiative designed to launch a growing online collection of open access eBooks published by our fifty-plus University Press Library partners. The overall focus of the collection is on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. |
Q.2. Why focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals?
The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 17 represent a comprehensive framework to eradicate poverty, tackle climate issues, and foster a fair, inclusive, and sustainable global community. In this context, academic publishers are crucial facilitators in driving these objectives through institutional practices and published materials. UPLO's emphasis on the SDGs underscores the distinctive dedication of HSS publishers in integrating the SDGs' expansive targets into their day-to-day operations and structure. |
Q.3. What is the relationship between the University Press Library and the University Press Library Open?
The University Press Library (UPL) consolidates global eBook collections from renowned university presses and publishing establishments. Initially established to facilitate predictable and sustainable eBook collection acquisition for presses and libraries, UPL has evolved into a comprehensive and unimpeded model for academic library collection procurement. University Press Library Open (UPLO) complements UPL by offering a single destination for accessing open-access books published by UPL-affiliated presses. Hosted by Ubiquity on its open-source platform, UPLO is fully optimized to support electronic-first and open content distribution. |
Q.4. Can I find books from University Press Library Open on De Gruyter’s University Press Library platform? |
Q.5. How does UPLO differ from other open access eBook initiatives?
UPLO leverages insights gained from previous open access eBook initiatives such as TOME, Luminos and Opening the Future while uniting the collective influence and prestige of more than fifty university press partners and over 115 participating libraries, in addition to other vital stakeholders, including consortia, aggregators, vendors, and authors. This community-driven approach enables De Gruyter to distribute the financial responsibilities more equitably across the scholarly publishing ecosystem, ensuring the long-term sustainability of open access book publishing. |
Q.6. What role does De Gruyter eBound play in UPLO?
De Gruyter eBound, a not-for-profit foundation established in 2022, is central to UPLO. The mission of eBound is to support the work of not-for-profit and open access presses, especially in publishing scholarly monographs. As a not-for-profit, eBound will oversee UPLO’s funding and coordinate UPLO’s multiple stakeholders: |
Q.7. If I am interested in learning more about UPLO, whom should I contact?
Please get in touch with Peter Potter, Vice President, Paradigm Publishing Services, peter.potter@degruyter.com |