Open Access Week is an opportunity for researchers around the world to learn about the benefits of freely available scholarly materials, says information service librarian Dave Johnston.

“Most research has until very recently been only available to the reader through subscriptions or affiliation with an institution that pays subscription fees,” he says. “Open access changes this model — providing greater access to research results, accelerating the progress of research, making research affordable for students, and ensuring that publicly funded research is available to the public.”

Open Access scholarly literature is digital, online, free of charge, coupled with the right to use these works fully in the digital environment. During Open Access Week, October 24 to 28, advocates will share their experiences with colleagues.

“Open access makes it possible for the results of research to have the greatest possible impact,” Johnston says.

The Leddy Library is hosting several events this week in room 302, West Building. All are free and open to the University community:

• Opening up learning and teaching: Open Access, Open Educational Resources, and Open Learning, Nick Baker, 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, October 25;
• The life-changing magic of tidying up your research using Zotero, Mita Williams, noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, October 27;
• Free Your Research: Leveraging the Benefits of Open Access with Scholarship at UWindsor, Dave Johnston, noon to 1 p.m. Friday, October 28.

More information about these events is available on the library’s website.