ACRL Publishes New Book on Open Movements

The Association of College and Research Libraries explores collaborative practices in its latest publication.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Books

Isometric editorial illustration showing two stacked cloth-bound volumes on a wooden surface, representing collaborative research and open movements. — The Association of College and Research Libraries released "Open Movements," a new publication aimed at reconnecting diverse open-source and collaborative communities. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Association of College and Research Libraries has released a new book titled Open Movements: Recognizing Challenges and Building Connections. The work is available in both print and open access editions.

Why it matters

The book aims to address how individual open communities have grown increasingly distanced from their shared core values. It serves to bridge these gaps by highlighting various practitioner collaboration methods.

The new publication is organized into 5 distinct sections covering various perspectives on open practices. It is officially available in both print and open access formats.

The players

Association of College and Research Libraries

This is a division of the American Library Association that focuses on academic and research libraries.

Abbey K. Elder

She is an editor of the book and is based at an institution in Ames, Iowa.

Shannon M. Smith

She is an editor of the book and is based at an institution in Laramie, Wyoming.

Bryan Ricupero

He is an editor of the book and is based at an institution in Hanover, New Hampshire.

The details

Editors Abbey K. Elder, Shannon M. Smith, and Bryan Ricupero compiled the book to surface work across different movements. By organizing the text into five sections, the editors explore diverse viewpoints on current open practices.

October 29, 2026: The Association of College and Research Libraries published the book.

Industry Dynamics

This publication arrives as academic organizations navigate the evolving landscape of open scholarship and resource sharing. It reflects a growing industry focus on reconciling internal practices with the broader goals of the open access movement.

Readers can access the material through both traditional print channels or via digital open access platforms. This dual-format release ensures that the book remains available to practitioners regardless of their institutional resources.

The takeaway

This book highlights the necessity of maintaining shared values within growing decentralized communities. It provides practitioners with structured methods to improve collaboration and reconnect with fundamental principles.