Cornell University Libraries have made available an interesting report on open access with recommendations for library policy.
The Task Force on Open Access Publishing was convened by Ross Atkinson in January 2004.The purpose of the Task Force is to study the information available on Open Access publishing and to provide the CUL Library Management Team with a report that addressed specific questions. Alternative publishing models that would offer free and unimpeded access to scholarship promise both a more affordable system for academic institutions and their libraries and a more democratic one for readers and authors. The present Report examines both aspects of the Open Access promise and offers recommendations for CUL’s involvement in the arena of Open Access publishing. >>CLARIFICATION: This Report of the Cornell University Library’s Task Force on Open Access represents the Task Force’s initial examination into the Open Access publishing model and its impact on the Library. On October 7, 2004 the Library Management Team reviewed the report and requested additional analysis, particularly with regard to the underlying economic model from an institutional, rather than library, perspective and more consideration of projected costs and benefits,especially when considered from a multi-institutional or consortial point of view.<< [DSpace at Cornell University: Item 1813/193]
There is a supporting spreadsheet.
Abstract: This spreadsheet calculates the cost per article published in
the current subscription model for 113 institutions designated under the Association of Research Libraries. It graphs these institutions by FTE (full time equivalent enrollment) and compares the results to a range of costs postulated in the producer-pays open access model. This spreadsheet uses publicly-available information and the author regrets any errors within. It was designed to promote dialog and additional analysis — not to advocate a particular position. Modifying the starting assumptions will recalculate the values in the spreadsheet and update the graph. Readers are encouraged to change the assumptions based on more accurate information or alternative scenarios. [Lib-license post, 2 Jan 05]
