Open access gets tough

Abstract

Open access has come of age in the UK. After a decade in which academic librarians have found it hard to get open access on to the university agenda, it is now difficult to get it off. University senior managers and researchers are all preoccupied with it to an unprecedented degree. Policy decisions are being made by government, funders and universities themselves which will have profound implications for the future in a context that is complex, fast moving and beset with misconceptions. In this article, the author tries to shine some light on the issues under consideration and offer some prescriptions for future progress.