The American Library Association Glossary of Library and Information Science (2013) defines private or self-publishing as publishing “by a person or firm who assumes the expense of having a book or other document manufactured and the responsibility for distributing it by public sale in order to ensure its issue and/or to oversee the quality of its production.” Related terms include independent publishing and vanity publishing.

Self-published or independently sponsored works are those where the author and/or an organization assume responsibility for all aspects of publication and distribution.

NLM very selectively collects self-published works that meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Works from notable authors, societies, universities, or research institutions.
• Works endorsed by a reputable professional health care organization with a record of scientific achievement.
• Memoirs with unique historical or thematic value, such as experiences delivering war zone medical treatment, or first-hand accounts of health epidemics.
• Works written by authors or organizations that have at least one traditional commercially published work, or those that have attracted significant readership.
• Works by authors who convey unique, in-depth knowledge of medicine in a specific geographic area.
• Narratives with a unique perspective on health care thought and practice in the 21st century.

Independently sponsored content should have a clearly stated peer review process, transparent editorial practices and policies, and demonstrate features that contribute to the objectivity, credibility, and quality of its contents.