Hybrid Journals in Mathematics Can They Be Successful

1
Hybrid Journals in Mathematics Can They Be
Successful?

• Mathematical Sciences Publishers

2
G T Publications, 1996-2005

• Online was free to individuals, libraries were
  asked to pay 80/year
• Paper volumes were published at cost of 7/page,
  sold at .10/page plus shipping
• Editing by professional mathematiciansfree
• Low cost/high quality competition to expensive
  titles

3
MSP, 2005-

• Geometry and Topology
• Algebraic and Geometric Topology
• GT Monographs
• Pacific Journal of Mathematics (as publisher only)

4
MSP Ideals

• High quality content and presentation
• Low Cost Non-Profit
• Managed and produced by and for professional
  mathematicians
• Publish good mathematics efficiently at minimal
  cost
• Offer access to individuals free

5
Librarians Advisory Committee

• Kris FowlerU Minnesota
• Terry EhlingProject Euclid  
• Carol Hutchins--NYU 
• Brian QuigleyUC Berkeley
• Steve RockeyCornell
• Martha TuckerU Washington
• Molly WhiteU Texas Austin

6
Obstacles

• Switching from free to subscription-some
  librarians perceived as failure.
• Keeping subscription costs low/article and print
  quality high
• Hard to sell to libraries on honor system when
  access is open
• Little money available for new journals
• Package deals with commercial publishers limit
  library flexibility

7
Librarian Advice

• High quality is good--charge to cover costs in
  order to become sustainable low cost journal
• You cant be free and charge at the same time
• Offer a published subscription version, and
  either an embargoed version or arXiv version

8
Startup Problems

• Subscription management
• Consortia arrangements
• Initial lack of license agreement covering ILL,
  usage stats, perpetual access
• IP management, archiving, preservation
• Employee and administration costs

9
Problems

• Has been difficult getting libraries to subscribe
  when was previously free
• CISTI giving access to all Canadian libraries on
  one subscription
• Desire to provide open access to individuals too
  confusing
• Articles now under 2-3 year embargo
• More subscriptions needed to support MSP efforts

10
Journal Value

• Geometry and Topology 10 on impact factor list
  (Math, ISI 2006)
• Leading journal in its field currently
• G T has 3 Fields medallists on editorial board
• Algebraic and Geometric Topology tracked by
  ISI92 citations to 2005 2006 articles

11
New MSP Journals

• Algebra Number Theory
• Communications in Applied Mathematics and
  Computational Science (CAMCoS)
• Journal of Mechanics of Materials and Structures
  (publish only) JoMMS-- editors moved from
  7000/yr journal to MSP, 400/1500 pgs/2006

12
2007 Subscription Prices

• GT--240/yr./electronic AGT--160/yr./electro
  nicGT and AGT 5000 pgs/2006
• Pacific Journal of Mathematics450/2400 pgs/2006
  pe

13
MSP Math Package

• Algebra Number Theory
• Algebraic Geometric Topology
• CAMcos
• Geometry Topology
• 500/electronic
• 800/ paper electronic

14
Additional Activities

• WFTwork flow tool, MSP manuscript metadata
  management software, other nonprofits considering
• E-book perhaps
• Another journal
• Applying for tax-exempt status

15
References

• Birman, Joan S.  Forum Scientific PublishingA
  Mathematicians Viewpoint. Notices AMS, 47
  (August 2000), no. 7, 770-774.
• Jackson, Allyn. The slow revolution of the free
  electronic journal. Notices AMS, 47 (2000), no.
  9, 1053-1059.
• Jackson, Allyn. Jumping Ship Topology Board
  Resigns. Notices AMS, 54 (May 2007), no. 5,
  637-639.