UK Happenings

University Press of Kentucky and UK Libraries Extend Open Access Initiative

University Press of Kentucky book covers

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 4, 2020)  University Press of Kentucky will be offering more than 1,100 open access titles in perpetuity to all students, faculty and staff at consortium institutions across the state. These titles are accessible in electronic format through a partnership with the University of Kentucky Libraries’ UKnowledge.

“The University Press of Kentucky is committed to sharing the history and culture of our region with our readers,” said Ashley Runyon, director of the press. “We are privileged to be able to offer open access content to Kentucky students, faculty, and staff.”

The press announced earlier this year that the books will be open to anyone who accesses the UKnowledge platform at this link regardless of their institution. This includes a wide range of scholarly titles as well as general interest books.

UKnowledge, a UK Libraries initiative, is home to unique scholarship created by UK faculty, staff, students, departments, research centers and administration. Since 2014, UKnowledge has also served as the primary access point for the research and scholarship published by the press, including many out-of-print titles in Appalachian studies, history, and literary studies; broad selections of American and British literature; and books from the press' Studies in Romance Languages.

Some to consider from the offerings include: 

This initiative includes a wide range of scholarly and general interest titles available. To see the list of institutions and for more information, please visit https://uknowledge.uky.edu/upk_institutions.html.

The University Press of Kentucky is the scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, representing a consortium that includes all of the state universities, five private colleges and two historical societies. The press’ editorial program focuses on the humanities and the social sciences. Offices for the administrative, editorial, production and marketing departments of the press are found at the University of Kentucky, which provides financial support toward operating and publishing expenses.​

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.