Below are the guidelines for publishing on the TAMU Libraries OpenEd Open Digital Publishing Platform (hereon referred to as the Platform). This process is designed to support authors in creating and sharing open educational resources, from initial submission through to publication.

What We Publish

The Platform supports the publication of a wide variety of open educational resources and scholarly materials, including but not limited to:

• Textbooks
• Monographs
• Handbooks
• Laboratory manuals and notes
• Courseware and instructional guides
• Reference materials
• Open pedagogy projects (where students actively create and contribute to openly licensed educational materials, such as contributing to an open textbook)

All content must be published under a Creative Commons (CC) license that permits adaptation and redistribution, such as CC BY, CC BY-SA, CC BY-NC, or CC BY-NC-SA. While we strongly encourage licenses that allow adaptation to promote openness and flexibility in educational use, CC BY-ND and CC BY-NC-ND licenses, which do not permit modifications, may be used as well. All open licenses should align with our mission of openness, allowing for broad educational use and access.

For authors who wish to dedicate their work to the public domain, the No Copyright Mark (CC0) is also an option. This allows authors to waive all copyright and related rights, making their work available for unrestricted use without requiring attribution (see Creative Commons CC0 Public Domain Dedication page).

What We Cannot Publish

The following types of content cannot be published on the Platform:

1. Public Domain Content: Materials that already exist in the public domain should not be hosted unless they are part of an edited work with added scholarly value, or the authors’ dedication of their work to the public domain as noted above. We can work with authors to ensure their content is transformative by providing support and guidance throughout the process. This provision is in line with creating “transformative” learning experiences where the content helps fosters critical thinking, active participation, and deeper subject engagement through sharing diverse perspectives and collaboration on knowledge creation that goes beyond free access to materials (see Katz’s (2019) article on applying transformative learning theory to open education).
2. All Rights Reserved Content: Submissions must not be restricted under an “All Rights Reserved” copyright status, as this is incompatible with our open-access mission.
3. Commercial Content: Content developed for financial gain or with the primary intention of generating revenue is not suitable for the Platform. Our focus is on freely accessible resources that support open education.

Additionally, all published content must adhere to legal standards and institutional policies regarding intellectual property and academic integrity.

Who Can Publish

Anyone with a connection to Texas A&M University (TAMU), including faculty, staff, and students, is welcome to publish their work on the Platform as long as the content aligns with TAMU Libraries OpenEd Mission and complies with TAMUS Policies and Regulations.

• Departing TAMU Member: If a TAMU member (faculty, student, staff) leaves their position while actively working as a sole author on their book, they will be given the opportunity to collect their content. Since an active TAMU account is required to access the Platform, departing members will no longer have access to the Platform after their account is deactivated. The TAMU Libraries OpenEd team will assist departing TAMU members by:
  • Providing access to export their unfinished content in multiple formats (e.g., PDF, EPUB, XML, Word or other available file types) before/after their departure.
  • Offering guidance on how they may continue developing or hosting their content independently or at their new institution.

If the content is finalized and published on the Platform before their departure, it will remain on the Platform and continue to be accessible under the terms of the chosen Creative Commons license unless they request to remove the content (See Removal from the Platform).

If the departing member is collaborating with other TAMU-affiliated members on a project and wishes to continue the project, they may do so; however, a TAMU-affiliated collaborator must be appointed as the book administrator. This change will not affect the order of authorship, and the OpenEd team can assist with transferring administrative rights to ensure a seamless transition.

Submission Process

1. Application: Interested authors must complete an application form to begin the publishing process. This form collects basic information about the project, its educational goals, and the intended Creative Commons license.
2. Application  Review: The OpenEd team will review submissions within one week to evaluate relevance, and alignment with TAMU Libraries’ Open publishing goals (see What We Publish). While we are not the arbiters of the content quality, our role is to ensure that submissions align with the mission and principles of the Platform. To support this process, OpenEd may contact you for clarification or additional details about your application to better understand your project’s goals and ensure its alignment with our publication framework. This collaborative approach helps us provide authors with the resources and possible guidance they need to successfully develop and publish their work.
3. Finalization and Approval: Once the book is approved to begin publication, the book shell is created on the Platform and the author(s) will be added to it. Our team will be available to provide support throughout the publishing process.

Publishing Experiences

TAMU Libraries OpenEd offers a range of publishing paths designed to meet the diverse needs of authors. Whether you are exploring the Platform for the first time, piloting content in the classroom, or ready to fully develop and publish your work, we provide tailored support at every stage of the process:

• Exploration Path: A 90-day trial license (with the possibility to extend another 90 days) to experiment with the Platform’s tools and features.
• Pilot Path: A 1-academic-year focused period for authors to test and refine content in an educational setting.
• Production Path: Full accounts for authors ready to create and share open educational resources with the world.

Exploration Path: 90-Day Trial Licenses

To help authors explore the possibilities of publishing with TAMU Libraries OpenEd, we offer an Exploration Phase through a 90-day trial license. This phase allows authors to access the Platform and experiment with its features in a low-stakes environment before committing to the full submission process.

What You Can Do During the Exploration Phase

• Familiarize yourself with the Platform’s interface and tools.
• Experiment with designing, formatting, and uploading content.
• Explore the accessibility and multimedia options available for enhancing your book.
• Evaluate whether the Platform meets your teaching, research, or publishing needs.

How It Works

• Submission and Review: Authors submit a short application or proposal outlining their idea. The proposal is reviewed by the OpenEd team to ensure alignment with the OpenEd mission.
• Temporary Book Shell: Upon acceptance, a temporary book shell will be created based on the proposed title and contributors. This shell provides a working space for authors to explore and develop content.
• 90-Day Access: Temporary accounts and book shells are active for 90 days, after which authors can decide to proceed with a full submission or let the account expire. One 90-day extension can be granted at author’s request.
• Onboarding Support: You can request onboarding training and guidance (OpenEdHelp@tamu.edu) to get started and make the most of the Platform’s features during the trial period.

Pilot Path: Content Development for Teaching and Feedback

The Pilot Path is designed for authors who wish to develop content for use in their teaching and learning practices. This path enables authors to test their content, receive valuable feedback, and refine their work in collaboration with students and other users prior to public dissemination of their content (refer to Production Path for information on finalizing and full publication of work).

What You Can Do During the Pilot Phase

• Use the Platform to develop materials for use in courses.
• Publish your work in a limited-use format only accessible via URL that can be shared with select users, such as a class or classes.
• Gather feedback from students and/or other users to enhance content through real-world application.
• Experiment with open pedagogy practices, such as inviting students to contribute or comment on materials.
• Collaborate with colleagues or co-authors on early-stage content.

How It Works

• Submission and Review: Authors apply for a pilot license by submitting a brief proposal outlining their teaching goals and the intended scope of the project.
• Pilot Period: Authors are granted access to the Platform for up to one academic year to develop and refine their content.
• Book Shell Creation: A book shell will be set up based on the proposed book title and list of contributors. This shell serves as the foundation for developing the content. Authors and contributors will have immediate access to begin work on their project.
• Onboarding Support: You can request onboarding training and guidance (OpenEdHelp@tamu.edu) to get started and make the most of the Platform’s features.
• Next Steps: At the end of the pilot period, authors can:
  • Transition the work to a Production Path to finalize and publish.
  • Continue iterating with additional guidance from OpenEd.
  • Choose to delete or archive the content if they decide not to proceed.

Production Path: Full Accounts

The full account is for authors who are ready to develop and publish their content on the Platform. This account provides full access to all features necessary to create and share your open educational resources.

How It Works

• Submission and Review: Authors submit their project ideas through the application process. Once the submission is reviewed and accepted, a full account will be created.
• Book Shell Creation: Alongside the account, a book shell will be set up based on the proposed book title and list of contributors. This shell serves as the foundation for developing the content. Authors and contributors will have immediate access to begin work on their project.
• Onboarding Support: You can request onboarding training and guidance (OpenEdHelp@tamu.edu) to get started and make the most of the Platform’s features.