Written by Dr. Kanu A. Nagra, Professor & E-resources Librarian @ CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College
At the Electronic Resources & Libraries Conference 2026, the session Making Read & Publish Work at Your University: Licensing, Workflows, and the Realities of R&P Management by Hannah McKelvey and Rachelle McLain from Montana State University , offered attendees a hands-on look at how a mid-size university manages Read & Publish (R&P) agreements. Presenters shared their real-world experience overseeing both mediated and unmediated agreements, as well as capped and uncapped models, operating as a two-person team while collaborating closely with the campus Scholarly Communication Librarian.
The talk highlighted the practical workflows and licensing considerations involved in R&P management. A major theme of the session was strategies for outreach and promotion. Participants were encouraged to actively market R&P agreements to faculty and researchers, offering guidance on how to communicate the benefits of open access publishing and ensure that authors understand their options. Presenters shared practical tips on creating internal guides, developing FAQ resources, and addressing common questions from researchers navigating multiple publisher platforms.
The session also provided guidance on evaluating potential R&P agreements. Attendees learned how to formulate targeted questions for publishers, from licensing terms to cost structures, and how to assess whether a given agreement aligns with institutional priorities and workflows. By demystifying Open Access terminology and licensing protocols, the presenters aimed to build confidence among librarians in managing these agreements effectively.
Overall, the session offered a candid, experience-based perspective on the realities of R&P management at a mid-size university. By combining workflow best practices, licensing insights, and outreach strategies, the presenters provided participants with actionable tools to expand open access publishing at their own institutions while ensuring that Read & Publish agreements operate smoothly and sustainably.
