Public Access Policies

What support do the libraries offer for open accessing publishing fees (APCs)?

The libraries have agreements with certain publishers to help cover article processing charges (APCs).

• Funding for OA Publishing Fees (Article Processing Charges, or APCs).
• View the Agreements through the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA) for a complete list of agreements with publishers to help cover the cost of APCs.

Guide for Authors Complying with US Federal Agency Public Access and Publisher Policies (SPARC)
SPARC developed this guide to help authors consider potential actions for publishing they might take at different stages of the funding lifecycle, along with additional resources they might find helpful. 

Questions

If a researcher deposits their article in a repository service managed by the University Libraries, does that comply with a public access policy?
Not necessarily. Each federal funding agency and individual grant will direct the researcher where to deposit their manuscript and/or data. Sometimes the researcher can choose their own repository, sometimes they are required to use a designated repository.

If a researcher publishes their article open access, does that fulfill the public access requirement?
Generally, no. Most funding agencies require that researchers submit a copy directly to the agency or to a designated repository. It’s important to follow the guidelines of the granting agency.

Do public access plans require that ALL data resulting from federal grant funding be made public?
No. Some plans require only that data associated with publications be publicly available, but this is changing. Researchers should adhere to the details of the grant and follow the guidance of the agency. Only final data need to be shared (not working data). Data that is sensitive or
contains Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is generally exempt.

If a researcher is concerned about the stability of a federally managed central repository, can they submit their work to our repositories (such as MARS or Dataverse)?
Yes, they are welcome to submit copies of their work to our repository services. We will help them determine if publisher policies require an embargo for depositing in a non-agency directed repository. Visit our website for more details about our repository services.