SPARC
@sparcopen.bsky.social
SPARC is a nonprofit advocacy organization that supports open systems for research and education that enable everyone, everywhere to access, contribute to, and benefit from the knowledge that shapes our world.
Thanks to our 250 member libraries & academic organizations across North America - & our affiliated SPARC coalitions around the world. Together, we are driving policy change & advancing knowledge as a public good. #OpenAccess #OpenScience #OpenData #OER #OpenScholarship
sparcopen.org/2025-outcomes/
sparcopen.org/2025-outcomes/
2025 Outcomes - SPARC
sparcopen.org
December 22, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Thanks to our 250 member libraries & academic organizations across North America - & our affiliated SPARC coalitions around the world. Together, we are driving policy change & advancing knowledge as a public good. #OpenAccess #OpenScience #OpenData #OER #OpenScholarship
sparcopen.org/2025-outcomes/
sparcopen.org/2025-outcomes/
Hats off to the some of the team behind #OpenEd25: Hailey Babb, Christina Riehman-Murphy, Ash Barber, Nicholas Swails, Rosario Rogel-Salazar, Nicole Allen, Pranjal Saloni, Amanda Larson, Aishah Abdullah, Gabby Hernandez & Annika Many. Go to openeducationconference.org for more on #OpenEd26!
December 19, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Hats off to the some of the team behind #OpenEd25: Hailey Babb, Christina Riehman-Murphy, Ash Barber, Nicholas Swails, Rosario Rogel-Salazar, Nicole Allen, Pranjal Saloni, Amanda Larson, Aishah Abdullah, Gabby Hernandez & Annika Many. Go to openeducationconference.org for more on #OpenEd26!
If your library is considering ending a big deal, we have resources to help. See how others have handled communications, alternative access & saved $$$. See our profiles of Bucknell, East Carolina, FL State, Iowa State, UConn, UVM, Université de Montréal & MIT: sparcopen.org/our-work/big...
Unbundling Profiles - SPARC
sparcopen.org
December 18, 2025 at 2:28 PM
If your library is considering ending a big deal, we have resources to help. See how others have handled communications, alternative access & saved $$$. See our profiles of Bucknell, East Carolina, FL State, Iowa State, UConn, UVM, Université de Montréal & MIT: sparcopen.org/our-work/big...
ICYMI: Our 3rd paper with authorsalliance.bsky.social in the joint Legal Pathways to #OpenAccess project is out. sparcopen.org/news/2025/au...
Authors Alliance and SPARC Release Third “Legal Pathways to Open Access” White Paper on Federal Grants and Institutional IP Policies - SPARC
sparcopen.org
December 17, 2025 at 1:56 PM
ICYMI: Our 3rd paper with authorsalliance.bsky.social in the joint Legal Pathways to #OpenAccess project is out. sparcopen.org/news/2025/au...
Prior to applying for federal funding, it's helpful to understand the expectations around depositing manuscripts into agency designated repositories. Details on that & more in our new resource to help authors navigate #publicaccess requirements & publisher policies: sparcopen.org/our-work/gui...
Guide for Authors Complying with U.S. Federal Agency Public Access and Publisher Policies - SPARC
sparcopen.org
December 16, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Prior to applying for federal funding, it's helpful to understand the expectations around depositing manuscripts into agency designated repositories. Details on that & more in our new resource to help authors navigate #publicaccess requirements & publisher policies: sparcopen.org/our-work/gui...
Fascinating read about 20+ years of work leading up to the 2022 OSTP Nelson memo, ensuring taxpayer-funded research is immediately available to the public to freely access & fully use. Includes mention of SPARC's advocacy in #PublicAccess #OpenAccess #OpenScience.
academic.oup.com/spp/advance-...
academic.oup.com/spp/advance-...
The promise of public access: a recent history
Abstract. Public access ensures that publications from government-funded research are accessible to taxpayers through official channels. Between 2004 and 2
academic.oup.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Fascinating read about 20+ years of work leading up to the 2022 OSTP Nelson memo, ensuring taxpayer-funded research is immediately available to the public to freely access & fully use. Includes mention of SPARC's advocacy in #PublicAccess #OpenAccess #OpenScience.
academic.oup.com/spp/advance-...
academic.oup.com/spp/advance-...
Colorado is a leader in supporting #OER! We highlighted the state's impressive #OpenEducation landscape in our impact story: sparcopen.org/impact-story.... More funding was just announced to expand #OpenEd, making #highered more affordable & accessible: governorsoffice.colorado.gov/governor/new...
Colorado’s Continued Commitment to OER Benefits Students Statewide - SPARC
sparcopen.org
December 12, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Colorado is a leader in supporting #OER! We highlighted the state's impressive #OpenEducation landscape in our impact story: sparcopen.org/impact-story.... More funding was just announced to expand #OpenEd, making #highered more affordable & accessible: governorsoffice.colorado.gov/governor/new...
Greetings from the SPARC Steering Committee & SPARC team, together IRL for our annual meeting! We extended a warm welcome to those new to the committee & a fond farewell to our departing members. We are so thankful for their guidance, expertise & time. sparcopen.org/people/#steer
December 11, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Greetings from the SPARC Steering Committee & SPARC team, together IRL for our annual meeting! We extended a warm welcome to those new to the committee & a fond farewell to our departing members. We are so thankful for their guidance, expertise & time. sparcopen.org/people/#steer
It was our honor & pleasure to end 2025 together w/ SPARC members in DC today. The support you’ve shown to one another & our team has sustained us in this challenging year. We've all come out stronger & are committed to continuing our work to advance open practices & be catalysts for change in 2026!
December 11, 2025 at 1:48 AM
It was our honor & pleasure to end 2025 together w/ SPARC members in DC today. The support you’ve shown to one another & our team has sustained us in this challenging year. We've all come out stronger & are committed to continuing our work to advance open practices & be catalysts for change in 2026!
We look forward to seeing representatives from our SPARC libraries in DC & online for our members-only meeting & reception today, Dec. 10, from 5-7 p.m. Catch up on the latest from the SPARC team. To RSVP, check your email from us & respond. sparcopen.org
SPARC: Setting the Default to Open in Research and Education
SPARC is a global organization committed to making Open the default mode for all research and education, empowering people to solve big problems and make new discoveries through the adoption of Open A...
sparcopen.org
December 10, 2025 at 1:22 PM
We look forward to seeing representatives from our SPARC libraries in DC & online for our members-only meeting & reception today, Dec. 10, from 5-7 p.m. Catch up on the latest from the SPARC team. To RSVP, check your email from us & respond. sparcopen.org
If you've missed any of our webinars, we have several archived for viewing at your convenience! Learn about basics of #OpenAccess & #OpenEd, #PIDs, #publicaccess funder mandates, #copyright and more here: sparcopen.org/our-work/web...
SPARC Webinar Recordings - SPARC
sparcopen.org
December 9, 2025 at 2:53 PM
If you've missed any of our webinars, we have several archived for viewing at your convenience! Learn about basics of #OpenAccess & #OpenEd, #PIDs, #publicaccess funder mandates, #copyright and more here: sparcopen.org/our-work/web...
You're invited to weigh in by Dec. 26 on policies to strengthen the U.S. scientific enterprise. The OSTP RFI asks for input on topics related to public access, open data, and ensuring federally-funded research discoveries benefit Americans: www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
Notice of Request for Information; Accelerating the American Scientific Enterprise
The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) requests input from all interested parties on Federal policy updates that aim to accelerate the American scientific enterprise, enable groundbreaking...
www.federalregister.gov
December 8, 2025 at 4:27 PM
You're invited to weigh in by Dec. 26 on policies to strengthen the U.S. scientific enterprise. The OSTP RFI asks for input on topics related to public access, open data, and ensuring federally-funded research discoveries benefit Americans: www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
Some good news: IMLS is restoring all federal grants that had been terminated earlier this year. A win for libraries and library organizations across the U.S. www.imls.gov/news/stateme...
Statement of Agency’s Reinstatement of Terminated IMLS Grants
Statement of Agency’s Reinstatement of Terminated IMLS Grants Washington, DC– Upon further review, the Institute of Museum and Library Services has reinstated all federal grants. This action supersede...
www.imls.gov
December 5, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Some good news: IMLS is restoring all federal grants that had been terminated earlier this year. A win for libraries and library organizations across the U.S. www.imls.gov/news/stateme...
While inclusive access programs are advertised as a solution, they make it harder for students to make personal choices & fall short on making course materials affordable long-term. Explore the fine print in our contract library: sparcopen.org/our-work/aut.... www.inclusiveaccess.org/facts/conven...
InclusiveAccess.org — Convenient or Confined?
Inclusive access can provide first-day access to content, but it constrains students’ choices as consumers.
www.inclusiveaccess.org
December 4, 2025 at 3:32 PM
While inclusive access programs are advertised as a solution, they make it harder for students to make personal choices & fall short on making course materials affordable long-term. Explore the fine print in our contract library: sparcopen.org/our-work/aut.... www.inclusiveaccess.org/facts/conven...
Tune in tomorrow, Dec. 4, at 1pm ET to hear SPARC's @hjoseph.bsky.social chat w/ author Samuel Moore about Publishing Beyond the Market, a book about a more ethical, non-commercial approach to #OpenAccess publishing. Sign up for the free @archive.org event here: www.eventbrite.com/e/book-talk-...
December 3, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Tune in tomorrow, Dec. 4, at 1pm ET to hear SPARC's @hjoseph.bsky.social chat w/ author Samuel Moore about Publishing Beyond the Market, a book about a more ethical, non-commercial approach to #OpenAccess publishing. Sign up for the free @archive.org event here: www.eventbrite.com/e/book-talk-...
We're pleased to work with @authorsalliance.bsky.social on publication of this new white paper in the joint Legal Pathways to #OpenAccess project. sparcopen.org/news/2025/au...
December 2, 2025 at 10:58 PM
We're pleased to work with @authorsalliance.bsky.social on publication of this new white paper in the joint Legal Pathways to #OpenAccess project. sparcopen.org/news/2025/au...
Coming up today, Dec. 2, from 2-3 p.m. Eastern: "Paying Twice to Learn: Digital Textbooks, Courseware, and Student Data Privacy." It's not too late to register. sparcopen-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Paying Twice to Learn: Digital Textbooks, Courseware, and Student Data Privacy. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the w...
As SPARC’s Navigating Risk in Vendor Data Privacy Practices reports have documented, “user tracking that would be unthinkable in a physical library setting now happens routinely through publisher plat...
sparcopen-org.zoom.us
December 2, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Coming up today, Dec. 2, from 2-3 p.m. Eastern: "Paying Twice to Learn: Digital Textbooks, Courseware, and Student Data Privacy." It's not too late to register. sparcopen-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
SPARC members are invited to gather in DC or online for our members-only meeting on Dec. 10 at 5 p.m. in conjunction with CNI. Hear from the SPARC team on the current landscape & progress on our priority program areas. Reception to follow. Complete to request the RSVP link: sparcopen.org/contact/
Contact Us - SPARC
sparcopen.org
December 1, 2025 at 6:59 PM
SPARC members are invited to gather in DC or online for our members-only meeting on Dec. 10 at 5 p.m. in conjunction with CNI. Hear from the SPARC team on the current landscape & progress on our priority program areas. Reception to follow. Complete to request the RSVP link: sparcopen.org/contact/
Check out our recap of #OpenEd25! Takeaways from students, researchers, professors & administrators on what inspired them connecting w/ the #OpenEducation community last month in Denver. Save the date for virtual #OpenEd26 Oct 27-29, 2026. sparcopen.org/news/2025/op...
November 26, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Check out our recap of #OpenEd25! Takeaways from students, researchers, professors & administrators on what inspired them connecting w/ the #OpenEducation community last month in Denver. Save the date for virtual #OpenEd26 Oct 27-29, 2026. sparcopen.org/news/2025/op...
Congratulations to the newly elected members of the SPARC Steering Committee: Teresa Lee (York University Libraries, Canada); Josh Bolick (U of Kansas); Holly Mercer, (U of Maryland); Yasmeen Shorish (James Madison U); Camille Thomas (Florida State U). Thanks to all who voted! sparcopen.org
SPARC: Setting the Default to Open in Research and Education
SPARC is a global organization committed to making Open the default mode for all research and education, empowering people to solve big problems and make new discoveries through the adoption of Open A...
sparcopen.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Congratulations to the newly elected members of the SPARC Steering Committee: Teresa Lee (York University Libraries, Canada); Josh Bolick (U of Kansas); Holly Mercer, (U of Maryland); Yasmeen Shorish (James Madison U); Camille Thomas (Florida State U). Thanks to all who voted! sparcopen.org
Just what does #OpenAccess #OER #OpenScience look like in practice? More students succeeding in college, increased training opportunities for in-demand jobs, improved knowledge exchange for researchers solving the world's pressing programs & more. Download & share!
sparcopen.org/impact-stori...
sparcopen.org/impact-stori...
Impact Stories Archive - SPARC
Open Access, Open Data, and Open Education have already resulted in significant advancements in disease prevention, economic development, crisis management, improved education, researcher career devel...
sparcopen.org
November 24, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Just what does #OpenAccess #OER #OpenScience look like in practice? More students succeeding in college, increased training opportunities for in-demand jobs, improved knowledge exchange for researchers solving the world's pressing programs & more. Download & share!
sparcopen.org/impact-stori...
sparcopen.org/impact-stori...
Find out about exciting events that took place during #OAweek 2025 (sparcopen.org/news/2025/in...) & organizations supporting #OpenAccess in our series of profiles (www.openaccessweek.org/theme-profiles). Glad to highlight the good work of Anna Liakopoulou at IFMSA & others in advancing open.
November 21, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Find out about exciting events that took place during #OAweek 2025 (sparcopen.org/news/2025/in...) & organizations supporting #OpenAccess in our series of profiles (www.openaccessweek.org/theme-profiles). Glad to highlight the good work of Anna Liakopoulou at IFMSA & others in advancing open.
SPARC has pulled together tips & resources to help authors understand requirements under the 2022 OSTP Nelson memo. Learn more, including how agencies do not charge a fee for authors to deposit their manuscripts, making this an easy & cost-effective compliance option. sparcopen.org/our-work/gui...
Guide for Authors Complying with U.S. Federal Agency Public Access and Publisher Policies - SPARC
sparcopen.org
November 20, 2025 at 2:05 PM
SPARC has pulled together tips & resources to help authors understand requirements under the 2022 OSTP Nelson memo. Learn more, including how agencies do not charge a fee for authors to deposit their manuscripts, making this an easy & cost-effective compliance option. sparcopen.org/our-work/gui...