In A Paperless World A New Role for Academic Libraries : Providing Open Access

Source:

Bosc, Helene and Stevan Harnad. (2004). "In A Paperless World A New Role for Academic Libraries : Providing Open Access." Spreading the Word : Who Profits from Scientific Publications. Google Scholar, July 28, 2009. (http://eprints.ecs.soton.ac.uk/10721/1/boscharnadLP.htm.)

Abstract:

This article discusses that academic libraries should be considered research tools, co-evolving with technology. Due to many changes occurred brought to us by the information age and the way science is communicated, the role of libraries should be adaptive to this new tools. The development of central, discipline-specific online archives paved the way for a new scientific communication, known as Open Access (OA). The OA as defined and explained in the article presents that researchers provide OA to their peer reviewed journal articles in two different ways such as by publishing in them in OA journals and by publishing them in non-OA journals but also self archiving them in their institutional OA Archives. The researchers are said to be the best allies of the librarians both in the OA provision strategies. Also, some examples of the pioneering libraries are discussed in the article and from there the authors of the article concluded that an official mandate for OA provision is significant to increase the growth of OA as well as contribute in the growth of research usage and impact worldwide. The new era of OA to scientific research will begin, and researchers and research will draw all the benefits when academic libraries done their part.


3 things I have learned:

1. The librarians should always be aware on the technical developments resulting from the information age and must adopt and adapt to these changes and new tools not just on-paper but also on-line.
2. Libraries must explore on creating new OA journals, set-up OA archives and self-archive journal articles by "proxy: on behalf of their researchers" to access the necessary research information and gain scientific productivity.
3. In these present times, libraries especially the academic ones should practice providing OA to their clients by promoting both OA self-archiving and OA journal publishing.


Applications/Implications:

We all know that continuous changes are happening in the world of information, communication and technology. As a librarian, I need to be updated on the new trends brought to us by these new tools and technology. I need to explore on the different means and ways of acquiring right and accessible information and echo it to our clients. This way I can help spread the information, like the use of OA, which is one of the most significant role of a librarian.

In our institution, I can suggest to provide OA resources, OA search engines and OA journal directories in library web interfaces to help maximize and promote access to information provided that giving credits are always present in every information we freely get.