9 Library, Publishing, and Research Organizations Send Letter to Congress in Support of FRPAA

Direct to Full Text Letter (3 pages; PDF)
The letter is signed by:

• AALL
• ALA
• ACRL
• ARL
• Creative Commons
• Greater Western Library Alliance
• Public Knowledge
• Public Library of Science
• SPARC

From the Letter:

Timely, barrier-free access to the results of federally funded research is an essential component of our collective investment in science. We fully agree that this information should be shared in cost-effective ways that take advantage of newly available technologies. This increased sharing will help to advance the pace of discovery, as well as to speed the translation of this knowledge into innovative new services and products – fueling economic growth, and helping to create jobs.
The establishment of interoperable, open digital repositories containing publicly funded research will create an unprecedented, rich new resource for researchers – and all interested members of the public – to tap into. It will allow this critical layer of information to be linked, for the first time, to the wealth of other publicly accessible databases at federal agencies. For the first time, maximum use of this research will be fully realized – opening the door for previously unobtainable connections and discoveries to be made.
The proposed bill recognizes that a one-size-fits-all approach to public access policy is impractical, and balances the needs of all stakeholders in the scientific research community. While creating opportunities for unprecedented access and use of research, it provides important safeguards to protect the interests of those who contribute to the validity and quality of research results. Specifically, the inclusion of an embargo period provides an initial, exclusive distribution option for traditional publishers who may wish to maintain a subscription model for access.

Direct to Full Text Letter (3 pages; PDF)

Filed under: Associations and Organizations, Companies (Publishers/Vendors), Jobs, Libraries, Open Access, PLOS, Public Libraries, Publishing