Special Initiatives
Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC)
SPARC is an international coalition of libraries, research institutions and organizations dedicated to the creation of alternative peer-reviewed journals based on a different business model for scholarly publishing. SPARC provides advocacy and education for both faculty and scholars through its Declaring Independence and Gaining Independence initiatives. The University of Maryland Libraries is a founding member of SPARC.
Public Library of Science (PLOS)
As a non-profit organization of researchers and scientists dedicated to free, open access to scientific and medical information, PLOS launched its PLOS Biology in October of 2003. PLOS intends to create peer-reviewed, open access scientific journals as alternatives to traditional journals by utilizing a new business model which will ensure open access to all its literature in perpetuity. PLOS will debut PLOS Medicine in 2004.
PubMed Central
The U.S. National Library of Medicine provides free access to information in life science journals through PubMed Central.
BioMed Central
BioMed Central provides free, open access to peer-reviewed medical and life science literature. This independent publisher offers over 100 titles in HTML and PDF formats.
Budapest Open Access Initiative
Sponsored by the Open Society Institute the Budapest Open Access Initiative promotes free, open access to scientific journal literature.
LOCKSS
Funded by the National Science Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Sun Microsystems, Stanford University's LOCKSS (Lots of Copies Keeps Stuff Safe) program provides libraries with the technical tools to build, preserve and archive e-journal collections. This technology enables libraries to ensure perpetual access to digital material while allowing for more control over e-journal content acquired through licensing agreements.
Open Archives Initiative
Supported by the Digital Library Federation, Coalition for Networked Information and the National Science Foundation, the Open Archives Initiative promotes open access to scientific information through the creation of meta-data harvesting standards for open access providers. Many open archives, e-print, preprint and institutional repositories follow OAI standards to ensure perpeutal access, sustainability and integrity.
