U of A Press and University Libraries Create Collaborative Publishing Initiative

The U of A Press and the University Libraries are joining together to launch Arkansas Scholarly Editions, a collaborative publishing initiative that amplifies the impact of Arkansas scholars by expanding access to their work. 

The program marks a new partnership for the libraries and the press as they develop new models for presenting U of A research and scholarship in openly accessible formats.     

Championing the creation and dissemination of knowledge for the common good, the Arkansas Scholarly Editions will showcase scholarship from University of Arkansas System experts across the disciplines. ASE content will be available to view online at ScholarWorks, a growing collection of faculty publications, presentations, student work and teaching materials from U of A Libraries, and for purchase in print and ebook format from the U of A Press.

“We are delighted to make Arkansas Scholarly Editions available through the ScholarWorks@UARK repository,” said L. Angie Ohler, associate dean for content and digital initiatives at University Libraries. “Partnerships between university presses and academic libraries make sense. As the academic publishing marketplace experiments with new models for open-access book publication, I’m excited to work with the press to find a sustainable solution that makes quality research and scholarship available to a wider audience.”

Available this June, Thin Safety Margin: The SEFOR Super-Prompt-Critical Transient Experiments, Ozark Mountains, Arkansas, 1970-71, will inaugurate the new initiative. The book is co-authored by Jerry Havens, distinguished professor of chemical engineering at the U of A, and Collis Geren, former vice provost for research and dean of the graduate school at the U of A. 

“Arkansas Scholarly Edition titles will offer the outstanding scholarship of our University of Arkansas System scholars on a variety of platforms and in multiple formats,” said Mike Bieker, assistant vice chancellor for research and innovation and director of the U of A Press. “I look forward to developing open access models and the requisite funding requirements with my colleagues in the libraries.” 

About University Libraries: Located in the heart of campus, the David W. Mullins Library is the university's main research library. Branch libraries include the Chemistry and Biochemistry Library, the Fine Arts Library, the Physics Library and the Robert A. and Vivian Young Law Library. The University Libraries provide access to more than 3.1 million volumes and over 180,000 journals. They also offer research assistance, study spaces, computer labs with printing and scanning, interlibrary loan, delivery services and cultural exhibits and events. 

About the University of Arkansas Press: The University of Arkansas Press, a division of the University of Arkansas Office of Research and Innovation, advances the mission of the University of Arkansas by publishing peer-reviewed scholarship and literature of enduring value. The Press publishes books by authors of diverse backgrounds writing for specialty as well as general audiences in Arkansas and throughout the world.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the top 3% of U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.