Libraries

The Libraries of the Big Ten Academic Alliance are aligned in the vision of uniting our separate collections into one collection, shared and fully networked: the BIG Collection. By this phrase we mean a holistic and comprehensive understanding of what a library "collection" is: not simply the things we hold, but our services; our people; our expertise; our technology; and our infrastructure.

In advancing this future of interdependence and excellence, we are guided by our North Star in everything that we do:

In order to advance a just, trustworthy, scalable & sustainable open knowledge ecosystem, make open, more equitable scholarship our lead purpose.

On these pages, you'll find more about the services, programs, and community that are advancing this vision in a principles-centered, mission-driven, values-aligned way.

Academy Owned Scholarly Publishing Landscape Report

Launched in the fall of 2022, the Big Ten Academic Alliance [BTAA] landscape assessment of academy owned scholarly publishing activities explores the shared challenges and opportunities facing publishing programs and operations within the Big Ten institutions.

Big Ten Open Books

Big Ten Open Books connects readers everywhere to fully accessible, trusted books from leading university presses. Established as a new model for open-access publishing focused on equity and inclusion, we invite you to explore our Gender and Sexuality studies collection.

BIG Collection: Resource Access Policy Harmonization Report

The Resource Access Policy Harmonization pilot team is pleased to share their final report. Aspirational in nature, the report includes the new BTAA Resource Sharing Agreement plus Scanning Standards; reaffirms the Principles and Protocols for Sharing Special Collections within the Big Ten; and articulates important next steps for future pilot projects and working group investigations.

Library News

University of Maryland Embraces Opportunities Offered by CIC Membership

Apr 10, 2014, 11:17 AM

University of Maryland has maximized its first year in the CIC.

It's been a busy year at the University of Maryland.

Even before officially joining the Committee on Institutional Cooperation on June 1, 2013, folks across the Maryland campus starting building connections with their CIC counterparts in labs, classrooms, libraries, and theaters.

As highlighted in Maryland's new Think BIG! video, these connections have already had a high impact throughout the university.

For example:

Maryland researchers will host a research forum with the head of CIC's Traumatic Brain Injury Research Collaboration.
Student government leaders are working with their counterparts across the CIC to lobby on Capitol Hill.
Maryland's Amy Marquardt has been awarded a CIC/Smithsonian Fellowship.
CIC Theater Schools are collaborating in commissioning and producing a play.

For more on how Maryland has embraced CIC membership, see the full video and Think BIG web site.