Stories of Impact

Big Ten Open Books Publishers #TeamUP to Unlock Vital Subject Collections

Collaborative work is the heart of university presses. Authors and publishing professionals work together to advance knowledge, joining with a vast network of reviewers, booksellers, freelancers, translators, librarians, teachers, and students in the essential project of understanding the world.

Big Ten Open Books presents new 'Indigenous First Americans' Collection

To inform public understanding of Indigenous and native individuals, and particularly their diverse identities and experiences, a collection of 100 high quality books from seven BTAA presses is the newest Big Ten Open Books collection, launched in 2025.

How are the titles in Big Ten Open Books selected?

Books included in Big Ten Open Books have been hand-selected by university presses and libraries, working in collaboration.

How much does a Big Ten Open Book cost to make available?

When supporting open access initiatives, libraries should expect full transparency on how their contributions are being spent.

Meet the Authors: Big Ten Open Books

For the authors of titles included in Big Ten Open Books, open access offers an opportunity to reach beyond the academy and counter misinformation.

What does "access for everyone" mean for Big Ten Open Books?

Making ebooks "free to read" is just part of the story.

Big Ten Open Books presents the "Gender and Sexuality" collection

To inform public understanding of gender and sexuality, and particularly the diverse identities and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals, a collection of 100 high quality books from six BTAA presses is the first Big Ten Open Books collection, launched in summer 2023.

Why does metadata matter?

It shouldn't be surprising that a book collection designed through a deep collaboration between university presses and libraries would place a premium on "discovery." But it may be a shock how much work is needed to make a collection of open-access books truly accessible to the readers and users who would benefit the most.