Open Access News

News from the open access movement


Thursday, February 05, 2004

Harvard Gazette article on Elsevier cancellations and alternative scholarly publishing models

Libraries take a stand, Harvard University Gazette, Feburary 5, 2004, p.10-11. An article in the Harvard University Gazette summarizes recent cancellations of Elsevier titles in the Harvard libraries, the efforts of the university library community to negotiate access terms, and the faculty response. Markus Meister, Harvard professor and a PLoS editorial board member, "was not surprised" at the Elsevier cancellations, and remarked on the necessity for "change in the structure of scholarly communications. The authors that rely on these Elsevier journals as a channel for publishing should be encouraged to find another channel." And Stuart Shieber noted that faculty members are recognizing "that the current system for dissemination of scholarly information is unsustainable," and are open to alternative publishing channels such as open access journals. (Source: Jessica Baumgart, j's scratchpad)