Open Access Summit Offers Models and Strategies to Foster Open Publishing

At the recent Open Access Summit at Central European University, network librarians and the regional library community examined pressing issues regarding unrestricted online access to articles disseminated in scholarly publications. Participants at the Open Access Summit agreed that there is no single path forward regarding open access but that it is crucial librarians be informed of all sides of the conversation before making decisions for their institutions. 

Sponsored by OSUN and CEU, the event was organized by Meggan Houlihan, Director of the OSUN Library Resources Program. Open Access (OA) and Open Education Resources (OER) experts, including David Ernst from the University of Minnesota, facilitated discussions and  workshops covering the evolution of OA, funding models, and the evolving role of academic libraries. Sessions on OER adoption, quality in publishing, and national OA transitions provided valuable insights into fostering positive research cultures and increased transparency in academia.

Over 70 participants attended each of the two days of the gathering, representing a wide array of institutions and professions, including librarians, publishers, and researchers. Participants came from Austria, Germany, England, Belgium, US, Hungary, Czech Republic, Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan, Palestine, Costa Rica, Germany, Bangladesh, Philippines, Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Serbia. 
 
The first day of the summit included a full-day workshop on OA models that was facilitated by Lisa Hinchliffe, an internationally renowned OA expert from the University of Illinois. The second day included talks by a series of experts on the advancements of transformative agreements in Austria and Germany, quality versus prestige in OA publishing, open science, and open educational resources.
 Hasina Afroz, University Librarian, BRAC University, says she benefited most from hearing about new developments and best practices in open access. “I particularly enjoyed the discussions on open publishing and OER adoption. It gave me hope that change is possible and motivated me to pursue similar initiatives in my own organization.” 

Jyldyz Bekbalaeva, Library Director, American University of Central Asia, says she appreciated the range of colleagues she learned from at the summit, as they hailed from institutions working in a variety of cultural and political environments. She also valued the diverse range of issues the discussions covered. 

“Sessions were well selected, highlighting the range of developments and issues in the OA domain, from OA publishing models and the expanding role of university libraries to current initiatives on the country and consortia levels,” she says.
 
“The summit facilitated networking with peers and experts, as well as practical strategies to advance OA initiatives at my institution. Overall, it was an enriching experience, equipping me with the knowledge and tools to promote greater access to knowledge within our academic community,” says Nikolina Ivanova-Bell, Panitza Library Director, American University in Bulgaria. 

Win Zayar Tun, Librarian, Parami University, adds that the summit “could lead to a better connected and prosperous world by sharing our knowledge and findings with the public.”

Post Date: 04-10-2024