In a recent blog post, we discussed the changing landscape of scholarly publishing and how our open access mandate motivates us to consider the endless possibilities for sharing knowledge communicating information. As we consider the future of scholarship and dissemination, we have been experimenting with our open access content and various digital platforms.
One of the digital platforms that we have become interested in is Manifold and we are excited to announce that AU Press has been selected as one of only ten organizations to receive a two-day, on-site training session, support for setting up a branded Manifold instance, and instruction on how to use Manifold to publish materials. Read Manifold’s press release here.
As the first open access press in Canada, AU Press is known for innovative modes of publication and dissemination and we are looking forward to continuing that legacy with this new platform.
What is Manifold? Manifold is an open-source, mobile-friendly publishing platform that encourages new ways of thinking about the scholarly monograph and publication workflows. The platform will allow publishers to include archival documents, audio and video, and other elements into their publications, in addition to offering readers and users the opportunity to annotate, share, and comment.
Who built Manifold? The University of Minnesota Press, in partnership with the GC Digital Scholarship Lab at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York and digital development agency, Cast Iron Coding.
Why is AU Press excited about Manifold? We have been looking for ways to offer our open access content in a more enriched environment than a downloadable PDF can provide. Manifold will allow us to serve scholars who think outside the box of the print book and readers who want to participate in a more collaborative learning space. As the recipient of this competitive grant, AU Press is being acknowledged for its reputation as an innovator in open publishing and an organization that has demonstrated an interest in continually pushing the boundaries of format and presentation with the goal of reaching an ever growing audience.
What will AU Press publish in Manifold? In our branded instance of Manifold, AU Press will be exploring the networked nature of Manifold to determine how offering AU Press titles in distance and online education (books that already have a significant digital audience) will further engage readers accustomed to digital reading environments. We also plan to publish three forthcoming titles using the platform. These titles will benefit from a publication format that includes embedded material able to bring the historical context of the material to life for readers.
Stay tuned for more updates on this adventure.
