Open Access Day

Posted by: J on: October 14, 2008

• In: library | thoughts
• 1 Comment

Today is Open Access Day. I will attempt to answer the questions posed at that this blog, A Blog Around the Clock:

* Why does Open Access matter to you?
* How did you first become aware of it?
* Why should scientific and medical research be an open-access resource for the world?
* What do you do to support Open Access, and what can others do?

As someone who works in academia, Open Access is becoming more important. As a librarian in academia, it’s becoming a hot topic. As publishers continue to increase subscription costs while library budgets flatten or shrink, it’s becoming more important to find other options for scholarly research. Open Access is allowing students and faculty easier access to an increasing array of information. As a librarian, I am encouraged when I see more researchers and universities supporting the concepts behind Open Access.

I first become aware of Open Access over a year ago when I started at LittleU. Although I’d already benefited from it in my own research, I didn’t realize precisely what I had stumbled on. Over the past year (and a few months) I’ve been researching Open Access to understand what it is and how I can help spread the message.

Although I can understand researchers and scientists reasons for wanting to control their findings, I applaud the ones who are embracing Open Access. By freely sharing information around the world, we may speed up scientific and medical discoveries. This can only benefit the world.

Although I’m a very small voice in the wilderness, I am attempting to support Open Access by information the students I work with of the availability of information that they likely wouldn’t be able to get to without this movement. As I continue to build relationships with faculty and researchers, I can continue to spread the message and encourage that they consider making their research available through Open Access methods. For those who are also small voices, if enough of us make a noise, we will become a big sound. I will continue to learn more and follow the developments.

Happy Open Access Day!

Tags: Open Access