Principles for a Better System

Principles that seek to contain costs, expedite publication, and ensure broad access to scholarly publications. An initiative of the University of Kansas and its national partners.

Developed by the ACRL Scholarly Communications Committee as a foundation statement that provides overall guidance the ACRL scholarly communications initiative. It was approved by the ACRL Board of Directors on June 24, 2003 at the ALA Annual Conference in Toronto. The Association of College and Research Libraries is a division of the American Library Association.

Principles to guide librarians in contract negotiations with vendors of databases and electronic journals. Endorsed by the Association of Research Libraries and other national organizations.

“This handbook is designed to outline some of the most significant … choices—and the consequences of individual decisions—associated with creating, using, sharing, and teaching information found or communicated in the digitally networked environment.”