A recent survey by the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers yields some interesting findings about publisher policies. Some of the key results include:

  • Pricing models are still complex and varied, although more publishers now offer online-only subscriptions.
  • The proportion of publishers offering optional open access to authors has grown from 9% in 2005 to 30% in 2008.
  • Fewer publishers require authors to transfer copyright to the publisher, and the growth of self-archiving, institutional and subject-based repositories has prompted “a rethink” on authors’ rights issues.
  • Most publishers impose embargoes on final articles included in repositories.
  • 96.1% of STM and 86.5% of arts, humanities, and social science titles now accessible online.

[More information available on LibraryJournal.com]