A Humanities Mission Endangered: Sustaining LSU Press

FAIN: RJ-274298-20

Louisiana State University and A&M College (Baton Rouge, LA 70803-0001)
Alisa Plant (Project Director: May 2020 to July 2023)

The retention of two press staff members to maintain regular publication of humanities scholarship.

Founded in 1935, LSU Press is one of the nation's premier scholarly publishers. It has garnered national and international accolades for its work, including four Pulitzer Prizes. LSU Press publishes approximately 70 books a year, primarily in the humanities. The economic impact of the Covid-19 for LSU Press has been sharp and continues to be grave. We expect a 40 to 50 percent decline in sales for the remainder of 2020 as well as a budget cut of 5 to 10 percent. Without outside funding, the Press will have to lay off staff members. We are a small press and every employee is critical to our mission. The activities for which we are requesting support are personnel costs for key positions currently funded through the Press and LSU but at risk due to the pandemic. These positions are vital to the mission of the Press and its goal of advancing the humanities through its publications.