Online research leader

October 19, 2009

U of C library leadsCanada’s open access movement

U of C supports easily accessible online research

This week the University of Calgary is showcasing the institution’s involvement in the open access digital information movement during Open Access Week from October 19 to 23. Leslie Chan, one of Canada’s biggest advocates for easily accessible research, will speak this Friday.

Open Access uses the internet to throw open the locked doors that once hid knowledge. It encourages the unrestricted sharing of research results with people around the world, for the advancement and enjoyment of science and society.

“I am proud the University of Calgary is taking leadership in the movement to increase the worldwide accessibility of cutting-edge research,” says Tom Hickerson, vice-provost, libraries and cultural resources and university librarian. “The Taylor Family Digital Library, when it opens next year, will be a natural home for these bold initiatives, and we look forward to the new opportunities that Open Access will provide.”

Last year, Libraries and Cultural Resources (LCR) announced its ground-breaking $100,000 Open Access Authors Fund that has provided funds that have enabled over 150 authors to publish their work in open access journals.  

LCR is also an active partner in the national Synergies Project that stores and provides open access to research produced in Canada. U of C’s Institutional Repository is quickly becoming the largest source in the country for instantly accessible research by members of this university’s faculty, grad students and research groups.

Digitization of community records, photographs, legal documents and other valuable material makes U of C’s libraries a centre for western historical research. The University of Calgary Press is expanding its publishing options to include open access publishing, e-books, print on demand and other innovative ways to provide the widest possible audience for new research by its authors.