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PALNI Open Press green and black logo with palni.org/press url

About the PALNI Open Press

Overview

The PALNI Open Press is a suite of open-source and open-access publishing platforms to share scholarly, creative, and educational content from PALNI-supported institutions. It is a service of the Private Academic Library Network of Indiana (PALNI), a collaborative, strategic, and innovative network of private, academic libraries in Indiana. Learn more about publishing with the PALNI Open Press by requesting a consultation.

Mission

The PALNI Open Press is committed to disseminating the diverse scholarly, creative, and educational content from PALNI-supported institutions and their academic communities, helping them meet their teaching and learning objectives. This service provides the capacity to create and host open access publications such as journals, textbooks, monographs, and digital exhibits, without the costs associated with program design or platform maintenance and hosting. We aim to provide equal, equitable, and free access to content by all users throughout the world. PALNI’s Publishing Services Admin Team will provide consultation and support for the PALNI Open Press service.

Butler University student sitting at a small table and looking at/typing on a laptop.

History

The idea behind the PALNI Open Press started in 2015 with a publishing services proposal put forth by PALNI’s Institutional Repository Advisory Group. This proposal suggested that PALNI establish and pilot shared instances of popular open source publishing platforms. Since its inception, the PALNI Open Press has grown to expand its services and offerings, making significant contributions to the open academic community. 

Milestones

  • 2018 — Establishing a Support Team: In May 2018, the Library Publishing Task Force was formed to explore how to create a more robust publishing service by addressing structure, needs, and plans for the future. In this findings report, the Task Force recommended the establishment of an ongoing team to support the PALNI Open Press (formerly the PALNI Press) service. Now, the Publishing Services Admin Team administers the PALNI Open Press by creating documentation and developing services. The team is also engaged in the larger library publishing community as part of the Library Publishing Coalition.
  • 2019 — Advancements in the Hyku for Consortia Project: A key platform for PALNI Open Press is Hyku Commons, an open-source repository solution designed to meet the unique needs of library consortia. The Hyku for Consortia project, developed from a collaboration between PALNI and PALCI, provides this scalable, sustainable repository infrastructure. The advancements in Hyku for Consortia made possible by IMLS grants in both 2019 and 2021 have enabled the PALNI Open Press to offer robust repository services, enhancing the accessibility and preservation of scholarly works produced by its supported institutions.
  • 2020 — First Pressbook and Textbook Creation Grants: Butler University faculty Brian Weidner created the first PALNI Pressbook, “Brass Techniques and Pedagogy” as part of the PALSave Affordable Learning Program. Later that year, the introduction of the PALSave Textbook Creation Grants program marked a new chapter in PALNI’s commitment to OER. This program provides faculty with grants to create high-quality, openly licensed textbooks. The initiative supports academic freedom and innovation and ensures that students have access to affordable educational resources. The first books published under this program in 2023 have already made a substantial impact, demonstrating the potential of OER to transform teaching and learning.
  • 2023 — Joining CrossRef and DataCite: To enhance the discoverability and credibility of its publications, PALNI joined CrossRef and DataCite. These memberships allow PALNI to assign Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) to its publications, ensuring persistent links and easier access for researchers and students. Joining these organizations also places PALNI within a global network of scholarly communication, enhancing its reputation and reach.
  • 2024 — Name Change, Updated Branding, and New Website: PALNI decided to change the name of this service from its previous title (PALNI Press) to the current title (PALNI Open Press) to better reflect its nature as an open publishing platform. Along with the name change, the PALNI Open Press received a branding refresh with an all-new logo and website. 
  • Looking Ahead — Ongoing Commitment to Innovation: Throughout its history, the PALNI Open Press has remained committed to innovation and excellence in scholarly publishing. By continuously exploring new technologies and approaches, the PALNI Open Press ensures that it meets the evolving needs of its users. As the PALNI Open Press looks to the future, it remains dedicated to supporting PALNI libraries, faculty, staff, and students in publishing their scholarly work. By fostering collaboration, embracing technological advancements, and promoting the creation and use of OER, the Press is poised to continue its legacy of enhancing academic resources and supporting scholarly communication.