Indexing and Distribution

Open access books are books freely accessible to anyone on the internet. These books are widely available through indexing at multiple locations and can be easily discovered through various means. Several platforms, databases, search engines and tools we collaborate with, facilitate this process:

Indexing

Services and platforms that help users discover academic books.
Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB) is a crucial resource for discovering open access books. It serves as a central database where users can search for these books based on subject, language, and publisher. What makes DOAB even more valuable is that the metadata (specific information about the books) from DOAB is often included in library catalogs, making it easier for researchers to locate open access books through their local libraries.
Open Access Publishing in European Networks (OAPEN) is an online library and publication platform that hosts a collection of open access books.
The Book Citation Index (BKCI) is a database within the Web of Science platform that indexes scholarly books. It offers citation data for books and aids researchers in tracking academic contributions and their impact.
Google Books is a platform for searching, previewing, and accessing books, including academic titles. It provides a tool for discovering and accessing academic literature.
EBSCO is a database aggregator that provides access to a wide range of academic content, including books. The Knowledge Base allows users to search for books by title, author, subject, and more, making it a valuable research tool.
ProQuest is another major database provider that offers access to a vast collection of academic resources, including books. It includes a substantialnumber of open access books in its database, providing researchers with acomprehensive resource for academic literature.
ExLibris provides library management solutions, and Alma is one of its products. Alma aids libraries in cataloging, organizing, and providing access to both print and digital books, including open access titles.
BASE is a specialized search engine that focuses on academic content, including open access books. It provides a comprehensive platform for discovering academic materials.
CrossRef is an organization that provides Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) for academic content, including books. DOIs help in precisely identifying and accessing specific academic books and scholarly materials.

Content Aggregators

Platforms that aggregate and provide access to academic publications.
Google Scholar is a well-known search tool for finding open access booksand scholarly publications that provides a user-friendly interface for researchers
Scilit is an open-access database that indexes scholarly literature, including academic books, providing a platform for discovering and accessing research materials.
WorldCat is a global catalog of library collections, helping users find books and other materials in libraries worldwide.

Distribution

Organizations involved in the distribution of academic books.
China National Publications Import & Export Corporation (CNPIEC) plays a significant role in facilitating the exchange of literary and academic works between China and the rest of the world, and promoting cultural exchange and international cooperation in the publishing industry. CNPIEC operates as a major distributor of foreign publications within China, helping to make foreign literature and knowledge accessible to Chinese readers
Ingram is one of the largest book wholesalers and distributors globally, serving as a crucial link in the supply chain, connecting publishers with bookstores, libraries, and online retailers.

Digital Preservation

To ensure indefinite preservation of our publications, all content published within an MDPI journal is permanently archived in the Swiss National Library (available as Helveticat).