Ohio University Press quadruples open access titles with support from University Libraries, partners

Over the past few months, Ohio University Press has significantly expanded its open access (OA) publishing program, growing its collection from just over two dozen titles to more than 100.

This milestone was made possible through generous support from University Libraries, as well as contributions from national and international OA initiatives. The expanded collection includes works by Ohio University faculty as well as scholars from around the world.

The newly available titles can be downloaded through the Ohio Open Library and BibliOpen, providing readers worldwide free, unlimited access to scholarly work. As a bonus, the Ohio Open Library features a counter and a map displaying the locations where titles are being accessed in real time.

“As of early November, there have been over 25,000 downloads of OU Press books,” said Press Director Beth Pratt, adding, “Open Access is a great tool to extend the discoverability of our books, advance the goal of affordable textbook options, and increase public engagement in our fields of publication.”

Pratt described OA books as “central to our mission of making rigorous scholarship widely available. Thanks to the support from University Libraries, we’ve been able to remove barriers to access and amplify the voices of our authors across disciplines and borders.” Additional support for this initiative came from Knowledge Unlatched, JSTOR Path to Open, TOME (Toward an Open Monograph Ecosystem), and individual authors’ institutions.

Open access publishing offers numerous benefits, including greater visibility, higher citation rates, and increased classroom usage. The Press initiative aligns with Ohio University’s commitment to expanding access to learning and University Libraries’ mission to provide equitable access to credible resources. By removing financial and geographic barriers, the program ensures that scholarly work is freely available to readers worldwide, amplifying the impact of research and fostering engagement across disciplines.

The Press’ OA titles encompass subjects across the humanities and social sciences and embody the commitment of the Ohio University Press to scholarly, literary, and regional publishing with a strong emphasis on cultural breadth and academic depth. More titles will be added regularly. To view the full collection, visit ohioswallow.com/open-access.