ACLS Marks Milestone with 100 Open Access Humanities Books Launched Globally

ACLS Celebrates Milestone in Open Access Publishing

The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), a leading organization in the humanities and social sciences, proudly announces the successful launch of its initial collection of 100 open access books. This significant milestone is achieved through the innovative Path to Open initiative, hosted on JSTOR, a nonprofit platform dedicated to increasing access to knowledge. This pilot program, which aims to make one thousand scholarly books available for free by 2029, signifies a transformative step in the realm of academic publishing.

The Path to Open initiative is designed to overcome the persistent challenges that scholars face in accessing peer-reviewed research. By creating a cost-sharing model between libraries and publishers, it guarantees funding for new scholarly works while ensuring free access for all. This model not only fosters sustainability for university presses but also provides authors with greater opportunities for wider readership. The first batch of books includes a rich and diverse array of research topics ranging from public health to literature and global history, addressing underrepresented communities and subjects that have historically been neglected in scholarly discourse.

Among the noteworthy titles in this collection are five that stem from research supported by ACLS fellowships, with several other titles having earned accolades for their scholarly contributions. As part of the initiative, these books are now freely accessible for course adoptions, citations, and research use, providing a valuable resource for educators and scholars alike.

Kevin Guthrie, President of ITHAKA and Managing Director for JSTOR, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, "Path to Open was built to balance sustainability for publishers, opportunity for authors, and affordability for libraries. Seeing the first 100 titles become openly available shows that a community-driven model can deliver on all three at scale while expanding global access to high-quality scholarship."

Sarah McKee, Project Manager at ACLS, emphasized the alignment of this initiative with ACLS's mission, noting that it enhances the accessibility of humanistic scholarship. The very essence of ACLS’s work is to promote knowledge as a public good, reflecting the organization’s commitment to diverse identities and experiences in scholarly narratives.

The impact of these open access titles is already evident. Within a relatively short period after their release, libraries that participated in the early access program have noted an extraordinary 500% increase in usage of these titles. Readers from 94 different countries have accessed this wealth of scholarly content, exemplifying the global reach and influence of the initiative.

Today, the Path to Open initiative has garnered support from over 250 libraries and nearly 50 publishers, reflecting its potential as a viable and financially sustainable model for open access book publishing. Encouragingly, new libraries are continually joining this collaborative effort, contributing to the ongoing development and success of the program.

The legacy of ACLS spans over a century, symbolizing the collective pursuit of knowledge within the humanities. As it continues to uphold the principles of equity, sustainability, and transparency in open access publishing, ACLS remains at the forefront of scholarly innovation, shaping the future of academic research and its accessibility.

As we anticipate the release of more titles in the coming years, the Path to Open initiative represents a hopeful future where scholarly works are no longer confined by paywalls, allowing knowledge to flow freely across borders and communities. The commitment of ACLS, along with its partners, holds the promise of a more equitable and inclusive scholarly ecosystem for all.

In summary, the launch of 100 open-access books reflects a powerful commitment to enhancing the landscape of academic publishing, ensuring that knowledge remains a shared resource for generations to come. By prioritizing accessibility, diversity, and community engagement, the Path to Open initiative is set to transform the way scholarly work is disseminated and utilized worldwide.