University of Rhode Island supports OLH model

We're extremely pleased to announce that the University of Rhode Island has signed up to financially support the Open Library of Humanities. Professor Andrée J. Rathemacher, Head, Acquisitions in the University Libraries at the University of Rhode Island, has previously worked with other open-access publishing initiatives and we are delighted to have URI's participation.

Unlike other open-access initiatives with author-facing charges, the OLH is funded through a system of library partnerships, in which a large number of libraries all pay a small amount so that we can cover the costs of publication.

Dr. Martin Paul Eve, one of the founders and academic project directors of the OLH, welcomed URI: “I am thrilled that URI has joined the OLH's LPS membership. It is clear that open access in the humanities has a long way to go, with different economic constraints. The OLH model is designed to work in that environment in a more equitable way that brings greater return on investment to libraries, such as URI.”

Professor Rathemacher added: “I’m very happy that the University of Rhode Island is able to support this important initiative and further demonstrate our commitment to advancing open access to scholarship. Open Library of Humanities is an exciting project that promises to harness the power of cooperation to make possible OA publishing in the humanities at no cost to authors.”

Libraries outside the US and UK interested in joining the OLH Library Partnership Subsidy model should contact Dr. Martin Paul Eve: martin.eve@openlibhums.org. UK-based libraries will shortly be able to join through Jisc Collections. US-based libraries and institutions can join through LYRASIS at https://lyrasis.openlibhums.org.