Open access describes published scholarly works that are provided free of charge to read. Recent years have seen a big push in scholarly publishing and library circles to increase the amount of content that is openly accessible. The benefits of open access publishing are enormous and ensure that great research is free, as well as supports researchers in developing countries who cannot afford access to cutting-edge publications. Kent State University Libraries is leading the way to making the KSU’s research output more open.

Through our collections initiatives and partnership with OhioLINK, University Libraries has reached agreements with major publishers (i.e., Cambridge and Wiley) to facilitate open access for KSU researchers. This was accomplished via our electronic journal package agreements that allow for cost-free open access publishing for KSU-affiliated authors. Typically, authors must pay article processing charges (APCs) if they would like their article to be published open access. These charges can be several thousand dollars, depending on the journal, and are often the main barrier to open access. University Libraries is also supporting open access through other activities, such as our membership in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). 

 The Kent State University Open Access Publishing Fund, a new initiative to further cover APCs for KSU researchers, kicked off in early March 2022. It is a partnership between University Libraries, the University Research Council (URC) and the Division of Research and Sponsored Programs (RASP). The fund, managed and administered by University Libraries, is a pilot program designed to offset the cost of publishing in fully open access journals. The fund will cover APCs per article at the lesser of $1,000 or 50 percent of the total cost. A researcher’s department and other available funding avenues help cover the remainder of the cost.

Learn more about the requirements and application instructions for the Open Access Publishing Fund | Kent State University Libraries. If you have any questions or comments, contact Collections Strategies Librarian skenne20 [at] kent.edu (subject: Open%20Access%20APC%20Support%20Initiative) (Sean Kennedy).