Publishing from within: a view from the Netherlands University Presses – Open Access Books Network

"The NUPs didn’t emerge because publishing needed another “player” but because many people working in and around universities, like librarians, researchers and editors, have grown increasingly uncomfortable with how scholarly publishing currently operates. High prices, limited access, and systems that reward brand over substance are all part of that discomfort. This challenge is not only cultural but structural, as it touches on how prestige is produced through evaluation systems, funding mechanisms, and publishing infrastructures that continue to privilege established commercial actors.

The NUPs are trying to do things differently, and their integration into the library helps them do so, as their starting point is not profit, but service, while maintaining quality standards. This means thinking about what authors (teachers and researchers) actually need; how to make publishing processes clearer and transparent; and how to ensure that publications reach readers without barriers. In doing so, they are not only offering an alternative publishing route but also implicitly challenging what counts as prestige in the first place, shifting the focus from brand recognition and exclusivity towards openness, service, and scholarly value."