The SCOAP3 Open Access initiative has a unique potential to transform scholarly communication. It offers an opportunity to U.S. libraries of all sizes to experiment with Open Access in a cost-neutral fashion and make a real difference in Open Access. Come to the SCOAP3 forum at SLA in Washington on June 14th to learn how you can get involved!
SCOAP3 aims to convert High-Energy Physics literature to Open Access by re-directing current subscription expenditures to a consortium that will centrally pay journals for peer-review and other editorial services, making articles Open Access. This is an innovative, cost-neutral, way to achieve Open Access without incurring in additional author fees.
SCOAP3 has so far collected pledges for a total of 8.8 Million $/year from partners in 21 countries, corresponding to 63% of its worldwide budget envelope. In the U.S., leading libraries and library consortia signed an Expression of Interest pledging to support the SCOAP3 initiative, if successful. These pledges represent 2.5 Million $/year, over 70% of the expected U.S. contribution. However, additional pledges for about 1 Million $/year are still needed to allow the initiative to move forward.
This forum complements the recent ACRL and SPARC SCOAP3 FAQs. It will present an overview of the SCOAP3 initiative and answer questions on the way the consortium will work. Attendance is free but participants are kindly invited to register online at http://tinyurl.com/scoap3-at-sla where questions can be submitted in advance.
The event will take place on Sunday, June 14th 2009, 3:00pm-4:30pm at the Henley Park Hotel, 926 Massachusetts Ave, Eton room.