Publications Policy

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1. Purpose and Scope

Ocean Literacy Institute (OLI) publishes and recommends books and learning materials that help young people understand the ocean as a living, interconnected system. This policy explains how we choose those materials, who benefits financially from their sale, and how we handle conflicts of interest.

It applies to every book, curriculum, teacher guide, student workbook, and digital resource that OLI publishes, sells, features, or recommends, on our website, in our programs, or in materials we share with schools, partners, and donors.

Every title we list falls into one of two clearly labeled categories, so readers always know whether a purchase supports OLI.

OLI Publications

Recommended Educational Reading

What it is

Works developed for OLI's educational programs

Independently published works that support our mission

Who owns the rights

Ocean Literacy Institute

The individual author or publisher

Who receives royalties

Ocean Literacy Institute

The author or publisher, unless stated otherwise

How it appears on our site

"Published for the Benefit of OLI"

"Recommended Educational Reading"

Examples

Move Toward the Shark (all age editions) and the Ocean Literacy Institute Explorer Series; Ocean Systems IQ curriculum, teacher guides, and student materials

Books by OLI-affiliated and outside authors selected for their educational value

We do not present independently owned works as OLI publications.

A work is published or recommended only if it meaningfully advances ocean literacy, environmental understanding, or systems thinking. Before a title is added, we confirm that it:

• Is accurate, and grounded in sound science or authentic first-hand experience
• Is suited to the audience it is listed for, with K-12 titles marked by age range and titles for educators or adult readers labeled as such
• Supports at least one Ocean Systems IQ dimension: Know, Connect, Think, Explore, or Act
• Encourages curiosity, respect for the ocean, and responsible action rather than fear

The reason each title was selected is recorded in writing and kept with OLI's records.

Intellectual property created for OLI, including books, curriculum, teacher guides, and the Ocean Systems IQ framework, belongs to Ocean Literacy Institute. Where a work was created by an individual, OLI holds its rights through a written assignment or a long-term license. These arrangements are designed so that the work continues to support OLI regardless of any individual's future involvement.

Revenue from OLI Publications is used only to advance OLI's educational mission. That includes developing new materials, providing resources to schools and educators, and supporting student programs.

OLI does not receive royalties from Recommended Educational Reading unless a listing states otherwise. Where OLI earns a referral commission from a retailer link, the listing will say so.

Some recommended works are written by OLI's founder and directors. When a director, officer, or advisor has a financial interest in a publication:

1. They disclose that interest to the Board in writing before the title is considered.
2. They do not vote on, or take part in decisions about, whether the title is included, how it is featured, or how it is promoted.
3. Directors without an interest in the title review it against the standards in Section 3 and record their decision and reasons in the Board minutes.
4. Recommended titles by OLI-affiliated authors are not featured more prominently than OLI Publications.

These steps also apply to any agreement between OLI and an affiliated author, including rights assignments and licenses. Such agreements must be on terms that are fair to OLI and approved by directors without an interest in them.

Every listing on our website shows the title, author, a short description, its category, and who receives the royalties. Titles by OLI's founder or directors identify that relationship by name.

The following notice appears on our publications page:

Some of the books we recommend are written by OLI's founder and members of our Board of Directors. These books are published independently, and their royalties go to their authors unless a listing says otherwise. We include them because of their educational value, and they were reviewed by directors with no financial interest in them. Purchases of titles marked "Published for the Benefit of OLI" directly support our educational programs.

The Board of Directors reviews this policy and the full list of published and recommended titles at least once a year. A title that no longer meets the standards in Section 3 is removed. The Board may amend this policy at any time, and the current version will always be posted here.

Questions about this policy can be sent to OLI through oceanliteracyinstitute.org.

Adopted by the Board of Directors of Ocean Literacy Institute on [date]. 

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