From application to publication: K-State Libraries' Open Publishing Exchange offers researchers support

Kansas State University Libraries has expanded its support for open, affordable and sustainable scholarly publishing through the Open Publishing Exchange, formerly known as the Center for Scholarly Publishing.

The Open Publishing Exchange, or OPE, supports researchers across the full publishing lifecycle, responding to evolving research funding requirements, rising publishing costs and federal public-access mandates. The department works with faculty to publish journal articles, research data and other scholarly outputs, recognizing these materials as interconnected parts of the research process rather than separate activities.

"The Open Publishing Exchange better reflects what this work has become," said David Molik, department head. "OPE brings together open-access publishing, data repositories, research workflows, metadata and digital infrastructure to help researchers share their work more effectively."

The department engages with faculty early in the research and grant-planning process to address data management, publishing options and public-access requirements from the outset. This early collaboration can strengthen grant proposals, reduce costs and compliance challenges, and ensure research outputs can be shared openly and affordably once projects are complete.

"By engaging with researchers early, we can help them avoid surprises later," Molik said.

OPE also supports the university's compliance with federal public-access requirements, including those outlined in the 2022 Office of Science and Technology Policy Public Access Memo, also known as the Nelson Memo. By aligning publishing workflows, repositories and metadata practices, the department helps ensure research articles and associated data are made publicly available on time without adding administrative burden for researchers.

The Open Publishing Exchange works to reduce the rising costs of research dissemination by supporting low- and no-cost publishing options through platforms such as New Prairie Press and K-State Research Exchange. The department also advises faculty on cost-effective publishing strategies and collaborates across the Libraries to manage and evaluate library-funded publishing agreements.

In addition, OPE advances textbook affordability by supporting open educational resources and alternative textbook models, helping reduce costs for students while maintaining academic quality and faculty control over course materials.

Through the Open Publishing Exchange, K-State Libraries continues to strengthen its commitment to open, trusted and sustainable scholarship that benefits researchers, students and the broader public.

— Submitted by Ashley Nietfeld