SCOAP3 Project Progresses (SPARC)

"I'm writing with the latest information on the SCOAP3 project, along with an outline of the next action steps needed to keep this moving successfully forward.   After an intense period of behind-the-scenes effort, CERN's open access, library, purchasing, and legal staff, along with the SCOAP global Steering Committee and Technical Working Group, secured with leading publishers the participation in principle of 12 HEP (full or partial) journals; developed a project governance structure; crafted a framework for performing calculations for subscription reduction and re-direction; and are putting into place a series of National Contact Persons (NCPs), who are responsible for securing participation from libraries, library consortia, research institutions, and funding agencies in their countries.   SCOAP3 is happening NOW.  Participating libraries and institutions are being contacted to begin the process of commitment and planning for funds re-direction.  The goal is that arrangements will be in place for SCOAP3 go-live with articles published beginning January 2014.  For the United States, the LYRASIS consortium is the chosen National Contact Organization, with Ann Okerson as the NCP. [CRKN is the Canadian lead National Contact Organization (Donald Bidd, Head of Content Programs, email: dbidd [at] crkn [dot] ca).]   In the US, the institutions that earlier submitted Expressions of Interest have been and are being re-contacted at this time, along with other libraries that subscribe to the chosen SCOAP3 journals.  US libraries can obtain information and join in this initiative now, by contacting Ann Okerson at ann [dot] okerson [at] lyrasis [dot] org.  In a short time, there will be specific information and instructions on how to express a firm commitment and calculate subscription amounts; Lyrasis has created a SCOAP3 Web site which contains initial documentation.  Also, please refer to the CERN site, and in particular the SCOAP3 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), which contains links to key documents on the site.   It's exciting to see this ground-breaking  project entering the next phase, and I know that SPARC members will do all they can to help this venture succeed!"