Information for Library Suppliers

With P2O (Purchase to Open), the academic book trade plays an active and central role in the open access transformation of monographs. Whilst the book trade has often been excluded from the (STM) open access business, P2O builds on the proven strengths of the academic book trade. With P2O, the trade brings its expertise and infrastructure to bear specifically on the publication process, thereby becoming part of a new, collaborative network.

How it works:

With P2O, you become a vital link between publishers and libraries, enabling high-quality academic books to be made available via Open Access:

1. Project submission by publishers 

Publishers submit their academic book projects (monographs and edited volumes) with an ISBN to P2O, with the aim of making them available via Open Access. In doing so, they set a funding target that covers the costs of open-access publication.

2. Integration into your services:

As a library supplier, you integrate P2O projects into your search platforms, existing profile services and new publications services.

3. Support from libraries:

Libraries can place pledges (binding pre-orders) via you as their preferred library supplier. This is done through the standard acquisition process and at the prices set by the publisher. The pledge guarantees the campus licence for the e-book in every case!

4. Transparency and progress tracking:

The current status of pledges is updated daily on the P2O platform. Both the content and the financial aspects are transparent and traceable.

5. After completion of crowdfunding:

a) Open access publication: 
If sufficient funds are raised through the pledges and the minimum threshold is reached, the book will be published as Open Access – permanently and freely accessible worldwide.

b) E-book campus license:
If the minimum threshold is not reached, the participating libraries that have made a pledge will automatically acquire the campus licence for the e-book at the same price as the pledge. This provides certainty for libraries’ budget planning and minimises their administrative burden, as the sale will take place in any case.

c) Author Pledge:
If the crowdfunding campaign is not successful, the author has the option to cover the remaining costs him-/herself and proceed with publishing in Open Access.