Celebrating open access publishing at UMN Libraries

Publication showcase

The morning kicked off with remarks from Lisa German, University Librarian and Dean of Libraries, who noted that Libraries Publishing “is a great example of making scholarship available to the wider world, and working with the talented authors that we have here at the University of Minnesota.” 

A publication showcase followed Dean Lisa German’s remarks. Authors, editors, and representatives from eight different projects published by UMN Libraries Publishing gave brief presentations on their work:

• David Beard, editor, Power of One
• Ana Carolina Rodriguez and Taylor Cavallo, authors, Becoming a Change Facilitator
• Marilee Tuite, Managing Editor, Journal of Transport and Land Use 
• Elizabeth Sumida Huaman, editor and contributor, The Westernized University and Us
• Aubree Tillett, editor, Women Architects Worldwide
• Joyce Holl, Executive Director of NODA, Journal of College Orientation, Transition, and Retention
• Dave Fielding and Matthew Mehaffey, editors, English Heritage Music Series
• Rebecca Nissen and Shreepriya Dogra, authors, Digital Literacy and Problem Solving

The impact of open access publishing

UMN Libraries defines open access (OA) research as free to any reader, anywhere in the world. All of the works published by UMN Libraries Publishing are open access, which means that any student, scholar, or reader can access them in full for free. 

During the talks, the process and impact of publishing OA emerged as consistent themes. 

Shreepriya Dogra, co-author of Digital Literacy and Problem Solving, emphasized the importance of “care and collaboration” in the open-access publishing process. Elizabeth Sumida Huaman, editor and contributor to The Westernized University and Us, noted that Libraries Publishing “ensured that authors’ rights were protected.” 

Many authors and editors also touched on the expansive reach of OA work as a key benefit — including Aubree Tillett, Humanities and Design Librarian and editor of Women Architects Worldwide, which aims to uplift the names of women architects from nearly every country and territory across the globe. Recently, she learned that the book was included as required reading in an architecture course at Miami University in Ohio. 

Similarly, Dave Fielding and Matthew Mehaffey noted that they are connecting with performers and composers around the world who are bringing the works preserved in the English Heritage Music Series to life. 

“This type of impact wouldn’t have been possible without open access,” Tillett said. 

“I’m grateful for the way that [working with Libraries Publishing] makes public this dimension of scholarly work,” said David Beard, editor of Power of One. “This is an incredibly valuable service.” 

About UMN Libraries Publishing Services

UMN Libraries Publishing Services supports the creation of scholarly publications by providing consultations about general publishing questions, as well as publishing journals, books, dynamic scholarly serials, and textbooks through the University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing imprint.

Publishing Services aligns with the University’s land-grant mission of “promoting access to higher education and collaborating to advance knowledge benefiting communities, the state, and world.” Among its core principles is a dedication to supporting intellectual freedom by keeping the means of production in the hands of scholars.

If you are interested in publishing your work with the Libraries, contact [email protected] to request a consultation.