Open Access and the Library | MDPI Books

Once a grassroots movement, Open Access (OA) is now making its way to the heart of university libraries and research organisations more broadly. Within a research institution, libraries are usually the facilitators of the transition to OA and, in some cases, they are the driving force behind this change. This process is also changing the role of libraries. Historically, library expertise lay in procuring content (both electronic and print) and negotiating access for students and researchers. Now libraries are asked to lead on the development and implementation of new OA services, including operation of repositories, setting up university presses and supporting OA journals. Many libraries also administrate OA publication funds. Building on their understanding of scholarly practices and information needs across disciplines libraries are now working to create successful OA implementation strategies by cooperating closely with university leadership, research offices and other research administrators, and by engaging closely with researchers from across the institution.

This results in a shift of focus from procuring scholarly content to becoming a more active partner in creation and dissemination. It also marks the start of what may well become a shift away from subscription budgets to OA publication budgets, with all the changes that brings for the structure of libraries and the roles of staff.