In 2009, the Association of American Universities (AAU), the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI), and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC) issued a joint statement as a call to action for universities to ensure the broadest possible access to the products of their work. Titled The University's Role in the Dissemination of Research and Scholarship - A Call to Action, the report stated:
"The creation of new knowledge lies at the heart of the research university and results from tremendous investments of resources by universities, federal and state governments, industry, foundations, and others. The products of that enterprise are created to benefit society. In the process, those products also advance further research and scholarship, along with the teaching and service missions of the university. Reflecting its investments, the academy has a responsibility to ensure the broadest possible access to the fruits of its work both in the short and long term by publics both local and global."
How would you answer this call to action? How is your work distributed to a worldwide audience? How can you show the impact of your work to the broadest possible audience?
Here are some ways that Open Access can impact you, readers and the institution!
