IMPLEMENTING OPEN ACCESS: REPORT OF THE CARL-CRKN OPEN ACCESS WORKING GROUP

reached where the dialogue about public access to research output is about how to implement OA, not whether it should advance.  In this report, the Open Access Working Group (OAWG), jointly created by CARL and CRKN, has focussed on what can be done to advance OA in the context of Canadian research and scholarly publishing, at the same time acknowledging the varying interests of the member organizations of CARL libraries and CRKN institutions. This report also challenges CARL and CRKN to continue their ground-breaking organizational 

collaboration to advance OA, begun with this working group. Academic libraries have clearly demonstrated their support for OA publishing and have been among its major champions.    Many libraries have ceased to be consumers, and have moved actively into production support roles for OA publishing by offering a range of scholarly communication services – OA author funds, OA initiative sponsors, local repositories, journal hosting, and other support. Research and academic libraries in Canada can be proud of their significant OA accomplishments. During the past year, the OAWG realized that OA-related issues were appearing at an accelerated rate.  Canada does not have a national body such as SPARC to provide a rapid response and support for OA 

polices and initiatives. The OAWG recognizes the importance of a working group to lead Canadian OA initiatives, to ensure awareness of national policies and jurisdictional parameters.   A key recommendation is that CARL and CRKN undertake a coordinated joint effort and form an active working group to provide OA leadership in the external-to-library community and the library 

community.   This group is not intended to replace or duplicate SPARC or other international bodies; it is intended to complement their initiatives and provide a focus for Canadian efforts.   It is also envisioned this new group will be responsible for many of the other recommendations in the report. The OAWG believes that advocacy in its fullest sense continues to be a key area requiring dedicated attention, both in the library and the research communities. There is a need for more systematic advocacy approaches coordinated at a national level rather than ad hoc, “one off” activities.  Just as important, CARL and CKRN should engage with national research funding agencies – CFI, CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC – to assist in the formulation and implementation of OA-related policies and procedures, with an emphasis on the potential role(s) for academic libraries..."