Leiden University Libraries join OLH LPS model

We are extremely pleased to announce that the Leiden University Libraries have joined the Open Library of Humanities’ Library Partnership Subsidy system. Leiden University was founded in 1575 and is one of Europe’s leading international research universities. It has seven faculties in the arts, sciences and social sciences, spread over locations in Leiden and The Hague. The University has over 5,500 staff members and 25,800 students. The motto of the University is ‘Praesidium Libertatis’ – Bastion of Freedom.

Leiden University Libraries have world-class collections and advanced services that support research and teaching. It is the oldest and largest university library in the Netherlands, with libraries in Leiden, The Hague, Jakarta (Indonesia) and Rabat (Morocco). The Library is a trusted partner in knowledge for the University’s researchers, faculty and students and collaborates with outside partners to create reliable, innovative services.

The Open Library of Humanities is an academic-led, gold open-access publisher with no author-facing charges. With funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the platform covers its costs by payments from an international library consortium, rather than any kind of author fee.

Dr. Martin Paul Eve, a founder and academic project director of the OLH, welcomed Leiden University Libraries: “I am delighted that Leiden University Libraries have joined the OLH model. The Netherlands sits among the pioneers of open access policy and it is wonderful to have another institution supporting our model for OA in the humanities.”

Kurt De Belder, University Librarian and director UBL, explained that “Leiden University Libraries support a variety of strategic national and international open access initiatives that focus on making scholarly information available as widely as possible. We expect the Open Library of the Humanities to fulfill an essential role for the humanities in this endeavor.”

Existing journals wishing to move to the platform should submit an initial enquiry to martin.eve@openlibhums.org. 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 can join through Jisc Collections at http://www.jisc-collections.ac.uk/Catalogue/Overview/Index/2120. US-based libraries can join through LYRASIS at https://lyrasis.openlibhums.org.