Creating open access books: a partnership between a university library and a research centre

Abstract

Our e-book story from the University of St Andrews is one of partnership between the University Library and a particular research centre, the St Andrews Centre for French History and Culture. The Library and the editor of the St Andrews Studies in French History and Culture have a close working relationship which enables this series to be made available as open access e-books in the University repository Research@StAndrews:FullText. Six e-books have already been produced and repository statistics show very healthy usage. Future publications are planned with a regular publication schedule. In 2010 the Centre began producing a unique series of “midigraphs” which are shorter monographs of 25,000-50,000 words. These are also published in paperback with a limited free print run. Titles are rigorously peer-reviewed and in keeping with the mission of the Centre to “enhance public understanding of the Francophone world”, the publications are free at the point of delivery and come with no charge for consultation, downloading, printing or circulation, either for private use or for educational purposes.