From: Ann Shumelda Okerson <[log in to unmask]> Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2016 18:56:09 -0500 http://www.lib.umich.edu/news/michigan-publishing-collaborates-launch-lever-press Michigan Publishing, the publishing division of the University of Michigan Library, will launch a new open-access book-publishing imprint, Lever Press, in collaboration with Amherst College Press and the Oberlin Group, a consortium of 80 libraries in America's top liberal arts colleges. Lever Press will publish digital-native titles distinguished by three key features: editorial alignment with the mission and ethos of liberal arts colleges; a "platinum" approach to open access in which the pledging institutions rather than authors pay all publishing costs; and digitally native production processes designed to support innovative projects that go "beyond the book." SNIP Nearly 40 liberal arts college libraries—most of them members of the Oberlin Group, along with Allegheny College and Ursinus College—have committed more than $1 million to the work of Lever Press over the next five years. Librarians and faculty members at these institutions will also comprise the press's oversight committee and editorial board. Supported by these pledges, Lever Press aims to acquire, develop, produce and disseminate a total of 60 new open-access titles by the end of 2020.