What is Open Access?
Open Access is not just a publishing model but a movement toward a more inclusive, transparent, and equitable global research ecosystem. Libraries and librarians are at the forefront of this movement, actively shaping the policies, technologies, and cultural shifts that support open scholarship and expand access to knowledge for all.
Open Access (OA) publishing refers to the practice of making research outputs—such as journal articles, data, theses, and academic books—freely accessible online to anyone, anywhere in the world, without subscription fees or paywalls. The main goal of OA is to democratize access to knowledge by removing financial, legal, and technical barriers that often restrict who can read, use, and build upon scholarly work.
Open Access plays a vital role in promoting equity in education and research, especially for those in developing countries or underfunded institutions who may not have the resources to afford costly journal subscriptions. It also helps accelerate scientific discovery and innovation by allowing research to be disseminated more widely and quickly, leading to increased visibility, citations, and societal impact.
Libraries and librarians play a crucial role in supporting and promoting Open Access. One of their key contributions is education and advocacy. Librarians help researchers understand the benefits of Open Access, navigate the different publishing models, and become aware of their rights as authors, such as retaining copyright or using Creative Commons licenses. Libraries often manage institutional repositories, ensuring that research outputs are properly archived, described, and made discoverable to the wider public. They also participate in negotiating with publishers, either individually or through consortia, to establish transformative agreements or read-and-publish deals that shift subscription costs toward supporting OA publishing. Furthermore, libraries can assist in the development of institutional policies on Open Access, administer funds to cover APCs, and provide technical and editorial support for library-based publishing initiatives. Many academic libraries also run their own Open Access journals or platforms, contributing directly to the infrastructure of scholarly communication.
Types of Open Access
Green Open Access (Self-Archiving)
Green Open Access refers to the practice of authors depositing a version of their scholarly work—such as a preprint (the version before peer review) or postprint (the final peer-reviewed version before journal formatting)—into an institutional or subject-specific repository. Examples of such repositories include arXiv for physics and mathematics, EPrints, SSRN for social sciences, and PubMed Central for biomedical research. These repositories are usually free to access and provide long-term preservation and visibility for research. However, the deposited version may be subject to an embargo period set by the publisher, during which public access is restricted for a certain length of time (typically 6 to 24 months). Despite these limitations, Green OA is a cost-effective way to provide access to research and comply with funder mandates, especially when publishing in traditional subscription-based journals.
Gold Open Access
Gold Open Access refers to publishing in fully Open Access journals where the final published version of the article is made freely and immediately available to everyone. These journals are often listed in directories such as the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). The costs of publishing are usually covered by Article Processing Charges (APCs) paid by the author, their institution, or a research funder. APCs can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the journal and publisher. While this model ensures immediate and unrestricted access to the final version of record, the financial burden can be a barrier for researchers without institutional support or funding, particularly those in low-income countries.
Diamond (Platinum) Open Access
Diamond or Platinum Open Access represents the most equitable OA model, as it removes financial barriers for both readers and authors. In this model, journals do not charge APCs, and access to content is completely free. The costs of publication are typically supported by universities, academic consortia, scholarly societies, or government agencies. This model is particularly favorable for fostering inclusive academic publishing by supporting underrepresented researchers and disciplines. Examples of Diamond OA platforms include SciELO in Latin America and Open Library of Humanities. However, the sustainability of this model can be challenging, as it depends on continued institutional and public funding.
Black Open Access (Unauthorized Sharing)
Black Open Access refers to the unauthorized and often illegal distribution of paywalled scholarly content through websites such as Sci-Hub and Library Genesis (LibGen). These platforms provide users with free access to millions of academic papers, circumventing publisher paywalls. While these platforms have been widely used by researchers, especially in low-resource settings, they raise serious legal and ethical concerns related to copyright infringement. They also reflect systemic issues in the academic publishing industry, particularly the inaccessibility and high cost of research, which fuels reliance on such sources. The popularity of Black OA highlights the urgent need for reform in scholarly communication to make knowledge more openly accessible through legitimate means.
Hybrid Open Access
Hybrid Open Access is a model in which traditional subscription-based journals offer authors the option to make individual articles openly accessible upon payment of an APC. The rest of the journal's content remains behind a paywall. This model has been criticized for "double-dipping", where publishers receive both APCs from authors and subscription fees from libraries or institutions, effectively charging twice for the same content. While hybrid journals may provide a transitional pathway to full Open Access, their long-term sustainability and fairness have been questioned. In response, some funders and initiatives—such as Plan S—discourage or even prohibit funding hybrid OA, instead favoring fully OA publishing models.
Predatory Publishing: A Cautionary Note
While Open Access (OA) has transformed scholarly communication by promoting greater accessibility and equity in research dissemination, it has also given rise to a concerning phenomenon known as predatory publishing. Predatory journals exploit the OA model by prioritizing profit over academic integrity. These journals typically charge authors publication fees—often labeled as article processing charges (APCs)—but fail to provide legitimate editorial and peer review processes. As a result, they undermine the quality and credibility of scholarly work, and pose significant risks to researchers, particularly early-career scholars or those unfamiliar with reputable publishing standards. Predatory journals often lack transparency in their operations, including unclear or misleading information about their editorial boards, fake or non-existent impact factors, and vague peer-review timelines. Many are not indexed in trusted academic databases like Scopus, Web of Science, or PubMed, which limits the visibility and academic value of the work published in them. Because these journals are rarely recognized by institutions or funding bodies, publishing in one can damage a researcher’s reputation and academic career.
To safeguard themselves from falling victim to predatory publishers, researchers should take a proactive approach to vetting journals before submitting their work. One useful resource is Beall’s List, which—although no longer officially maintained—provides a historical record of publishers and journals flagged for questionable practices. Another recommended tool is Think. Check. Submit., an initiative that offers a simple checklist to help authors assess the credibility and legitimacy of journals. In addition, researchers should verify whether a journal is indexed in respected databases, such as Scopus, Web of Science, or the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), as legitimate indexing is a strong indicator of a journal’s adherence to recognized academic standards.
Understanding the full spectrum of Open Access publishing models—along with the potential pitfalls like predatory publishing—enables researchers to make informed, strategic decisions about where and how to publish their work. By choosing credible and ethically managed journals, scholars can contribute to a more trustworthy, transparent, and impactful scholarly communication environment. Libraries, academic mentors, and institutional offices of research can also support this effort by providing guidance, training, and resources to help researchers navigate the complex OA landscape responsibly.