When developing MIT Press’s library collective action model Direct to Open (D2O), the creators understood that a one-size-fits-all framework doesn’t work for university presses. Because of the breadth and diversity of the current publishing landscape, presses need open publishing options that they can mold to fit their own unique needs and circumstances. How can university presses use D2O as a jumping-off point to enact their own open publishing models? What are the market forces driving publishers to adopt open access policies in the first place?

In this third episode, Emily Farrell, Library Partnerships and Sales Lead at MIT Press, and Curtis Brundy, Associate University Librarian at Iowa State University, talk logistics. They dive into the key factors concerning publishers when considering open models—the decline of print sales, desire to progress knowledge-sharing, lack of OA options in the humanities and social sciences. In addition, Emily and Curtis surface the challenges publishers face when adopting an OA model—operating costs, front- and backlist sizes—and the importance of introducing new, innovative solutions into the marketplace.

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