New Guide on Open Access Books now Available from Lancaster University Library

Image of cartoon person sat on a book

Lancaster University Library has launched a new guide to support authors interested in publishing open access books, monographs, book chapters, and edited collections.

The guide covers a wide range of topics related to publishing open access books and includes a range of case studies with Lancaster authors, detailed guidance on various aspects of the publication process, and useful resources to support users to make informed decisions.

Open Access for Longform research outputs is becoming increasingly common, with research funders such as UKRI and the Wellcome Trust having introduced Open Access Policies in recent years.

The guide has been designed to support authors through the process of publishing their research open access. It can either be used as a reference guide to find information related to a specific topic, or users can work through each section in turn to help them better understand key considerations when publishing an open access book and to develop their publication strategy.

The following topics are covered in the guide:

How to access the guide

The guide can be access via the Lancaster University Library webpage on Open Access Books and Monographs. It can be accessed without registration and is also available for authors external to Lancaster University to use.

What is an Open Access Book?

The fundamental principle underlying Open Access is that research should be freely available to the public with no restrictions on who can download and view it. Open Access books are made openly available online to anyone with an internet connection, which increases the opportunities for research to be read, discussed, and cited. They have the potential to reach wider and more diverse audiences who might lack the resources to purchase them otherwise.

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