Open Access, Extending Reach and (Im)measurable Impact: Vanderbilt and Generational Change

The Georgia Tech Library invites you to join us for a talk led by Jon Shaw (Vanderbilt University). 

Open access at Vanderbilt has moved from experiment to strategy, shaped by shifting federal expectations and the realities faculty face. This talk traces Vanderbilt Libraries’ path from early agreements to a more coordinated approach that confronts a system not built for institutions to act collectively, even as it depends on them. 

Drawing on evidence of reach, citation, and global use, it treats open access as research infrastructure and institutional impact. It shows how deliberate negotiation and institutional alignment expand access while beginning to change the economics of publishing locally. 

About Jon Shaw: 

Jon Shaw is the University Librarian at Vanderbilt University, where he leads the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries. He oversees a system of nine campus libraries and specialized research units, including the Vanderbilt Television News Archive and the Slave Societies Digital Archive. His portfolio includes administrative oversight of faculty-centered hubs within the College of Arts and Science, such as the McGee Applied Research Center for Narrative Studies, the W.T. Bandy Center for Baudelaire and Modern French Studies, and Studio 608. 

Recognized as a 2024 AWS Education Champion, Shaw has pioneered the modernization of library IT infrastructure and sustainable digital preservation through cloud innovation. Under his leadership, the libraries have launched key interdisciplinary initiatives, including a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Lab in partnership with Peabody College and an AI Law Lab with the Vanderbilt Law School. Prior to joining Vanderbilt in 2022, Shaw held senior leadership roles at the University of Pennsylvania, where he focused on large-scale research infrastructure and consortial strategy. 

Shaw is a frequent advisor to global research organizations, serving on boards for Clarivate, the Research Library at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and AmeriQuest: Narrative, Law and Society. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), where he is currently the Board Liaison to the Research and Analytics Committee and a member of the Audit Committee. 

Faculty, staff, and members of the broader LIS community are welcome to attend. This event will be held in person only, and we hope you’ll be able to join us.