MCLS & Open Education Network (OEN): Partnership to Advance Open Education
MCLS has joined the Open Education Network (OEN) 
as a consortial member. A recognized leader in helping academic institutions advocate and advance open at their colleges and universities, OEN utilizes a proven program to engage with faculty in the review and development of open education textbooks. This membership allows MCLS to stay current with Open Education efforts and offers multiple benefits to MCLS academic member libraries, including:
- Option for libraries to join OEN as an individual allied member at a discounted rate. Individual allied members work directly with OEN staff to incorporate the OEN model at their institutions. Allied membership includes the following specific benefits:
- Access to Open Textbook Library reviews
- Access to OEN Data Dashboard (used to manage and track OEN training and activity)
- Participation in a OEN Community of Practice and Community Hub
- Participation in the OEN Summit and the OEN Publishing Cooperative
- Receive member-pricing for OEN programs such as the Certificate in OER Librarianship
- Opportunity to utilize the OEN PressbooksEDU Sandbox Project
- Eligibility for Pressbooks EDU Discount (offered at vendor discretion)
- Open to libraries who are current OEN members at next renewal
- Any MCLS academic library that is not an OEN member may utilize the OEN framework at their institution through MCLS. For non-Allied members, MCLS serves as the connector and coordinator with OEN. Benefits for this arrangement include:
- Access to Open Textbook Library reviews
- Access to OEN Data Dashboard (used to manage and track OEN training and activity)
- Participation in a OEN Community of Practice and Community Hub (select access)
- Participation in the OEN Summit and the OEN Publishing Cooperative
- Opportunity to utilize the OEN PressbooksEDU Sandbox Project (5 projects)
In early 2022, MCLS launched its OEN services for non-allied members, providing opportunities for libraries to access OEN resources and services through a MCLS member-based community.
Questions regarding MCLS & OEN should be sent to Sarah Beaubien, MCLS eLicensing and Collection Resources Manager at beaubiens@mcls.org or 517-237-3652.
