There are a multitude of sub-issues to consider when engaging with the topic of changes in scholarly communication. The following links and statements are provided to give some idea of the scope of these issues.

Commodification
Over the past two decades, large numbers of scholarly publications have moved from being owned by scholars, i.e. by scholarly and professional societies, to being owned by private publishers and corporations. We have moved from a public goods model to one of scholarship as commodity.

Monopolization
The past two decades have also seen much consolidation within the publishing industry, creating virtual monopolies on the dissemination of scholarship within certain disciplines.   At this point, 40 major publishers are controlled by six entities.  (Summary Chart)

Impact of Serial Costs on Library Collections

As we embrace the digital environment, for it's promise of convenience, timeliness, and ease of use - scholars should be aware that in many cases, libraries now pay annual 'access' fees to content that in a print environment, we would own. When subscriptions end, often content that has been 'leased' in the past is no longer available to the community that we serve. This is a large area of concern and is being addressed through more pro-active licensing agreements - but it is a problem that is not completely solved.

Open Access
Open Access represents both an idea, that the results of publicly funded research be freely available, and a movement, characterized by various initiatives to make published scholarly literature freely available on the web.

AAUP Statement on Open Access

Tenure and Promotion
The landscape of scholarly communication has changed. Faculty evaluation is largely based on recognition of scholarship. Does the culture of faculty evaluation need to adapt to this changing landscape?

Modern Language Association Report on Evaluating Scholarship for Tenure and Promotion

University Press Publishing in the United States

University Presses Take Their Stand

PSU Carnegie Conversation Presentation on Scholarly Publishing, December 2004