JISC supports the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

JISC has helped fund the OA Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (SEP). From today's press release:

A major new JISC agreement ensures that all staff, researchers and students in UK further and higher education institutions have completely free and open access to a dynamic online reference work, which is designed to be responsive to new research in philosophy – the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (SEP). SEP is widely considered amongst the academic community as being an integral part of philosophy teaching and research in the UK. Institutions will have free online access to authoritative peer reviewed material to support those studying philosophy. JISC's and the Stanford University's commitment to open access principles means that the general public can also access these materials for free. JISC funding of membership dues on behalf of UK further and higher institutions contributes to the permanent operating fund securing the SEP's future. This means that it can continue to be provided on an open access basis as well as being run for the benefit of the global academic community.

(PS: The SEP has been OA from birth and seeks funding to remain OA. The campaign for funds is temporary, not a campaign for subscriptions under another name. JISC has not funded a national license for a non-OA resource as much as a national membership to sustain an OA resource. I've often supported the SEP fund-raising campaign in the past and again urge libraries and universities to consider helping this good cause.)