To address the increased need for digital content and distance learning during the Covid-19 pandemic, the MIT Press is rapidly expanding access to a variety of free content. From making select books freely available on their open-source platform to granting libraries complimentary access to its institutional e-book platform, the press will continue to bring content to readers in a variety of formats.
“The full staff is now working remotely and will continue to do so for as long as necessary,” says Amy Brand, director of the MIT Press. “Despite this transition, all essential activities and operations remain intact. We will continue to consider proposals for new books by qualified authors in a wide range of subject areas and will work tirelessly to launch and promote publishing efforts for our current authors through a wide variety of marketing and media channels. During these uncertain times, the MIT Press remains committed to its mission of disseminating scholarly ideas for the broadest possible audience.”
As the current crisis unfolds, teams in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and London are hard at work at finding creative solutions to share words and ideas with readers across the globe. The following free e-resources have been made available to help those who are working and studying remotely.
Articles on pandemics and other relevant topics
A collection of articles from the MIT Press archives offers valuable information on pandemics to help inform and educate at this critical time.
In addition, the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University has put together a Crisis Reader on Biosecurity and the Global Covid-19 Outbreak, a collection of articles from the journal International Security, that is also free on mitpressjournals.org.
Freely available MIT Press books
In response to the increased need for digital content and distance learning, the MIT Press has made a selection of books on pandemics, epidemiology, and related topics freely available for the foreseeable future on its PubPub platform.
The MIT Press Reader
The MIT Press Reader will continue to publish articles related to the Covid-19 crisis, providing insightful commentary for as long as necessary.
Currently, these include everything from a sweeping history of pandemics — with a few words on our current crisis — by renowned scientist Vaclav Smil, to a powerful argument for employing smartphone location data to stop the spread of the virus.
Virtual author talk series
MIT Press Live! is a weekly virtual author talk series aimed at building vibrant online communities. These online events will feature experts from around the world offering enlightening and timely takes on important topics.
Events will take place Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. Eastern time and are free and open to the public.
Complimentary access to MIT Press Direct for libraries
Complimentary access to the e-book platform MIT Press Direct will be granted to libraries through the end of May 2020.
The press is also partnering with ProQuest, EBSCO, Project MUSE, and University Press Scholarship Online to expand access to MIT Press e-books on those platforms.
Access to e-textbooks for faculty and students
The MIT Press is supporting instructors and students with free e-textbook access codes through The MIT Press eTextbook site for the rest of the semester. Please contact the press to request an access code for a particular course.
The MIT Press will continue to provide updates on its dedicated blog as well.
