Establishing a workflow for assessing open monograph business models: a case study from Oxford | Insights

Abstract:  Open access (OA) monograph publishing is becoming increasingly important as new funder mandates – including UKRI’s long-form OA policy – bring books and chapters into scope for compliance. For institutions, the challenge is not only financial but also strategic: how to engage with a rapidly evolving set of business models that vary in cost, transparency and sustainability. This case study describes how the Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford developed a structured workflow to assess and support OA monograph initiatives. Beginning as a one-year pilot project and now moving into ‘business as usual’, the work combined horizon scanning, evidence-based evaluation and collaborative decision-making across library committees. A key output was the development of an open monograph scheme evaluation form, providing consistency and transparency in decision-making. The study highlights both the benefits and limitations of different OA models, the tensions around funding and the lessons learned for building sustainable support. It offers practical insights for other libraries navigating similar challenges.