It's true, some journal subscriptions cost over $20,000. Each year!  As a member of the NYU community, you have access to a vast collection of scholarly journals available via both the Dibner Library and Bobst Library. But this access does not come cheap. Journal subscriptions, particularly in the fields of science, technology and medicine, are expensive. Libraries can't afford access to everything you might need. Fortunately there's an alternative to the current subscription model: open access.

What is Open Access?

Open access is free, unrestricted online access to high-quality, peer-reviewed academic literature. With open access, the costs of publishing an article are covered by subsidies from the hosting institution or professional society, publication fees, advertising, or a variety of possible combinations. The result is that everyone (not just students and academics) has free access to the latest research.

View the video above to find out what open access is and why it's important.

Why Should I Care?

1. Easier access to the articles you need. There will likely come a time when you need an article for your research paper that the library doesn't have access to. Sure, you can request it through interlibrary loan, but what if your paper is due tomorrow and you can't afford to wait the few days it may take to arrive? With open access, you don't have to worry about whether the library has a subscription or if you are off campus and can't log in. If you have internet access, you have access to the article - it's that simple!
2. It's your money. High journal subscription fees are paid in part with your tuition dollars. Journals with high subscription costs provide a sizable profit margin for their publishers. Wouldn't you rather see the library spend money on more computers, textbooks or study space?
3. Science will advance faster. Open access means that anyone can find and access research for free from anywhere in the world. Sharing research freely helps advance scientific discovery.

What can I do to Support Open Access?

1. Use open access research. There are 7,000 peer-reviewed open access journals currently in publication. Start your search with the Directory of Open Access Journals.
2. Share your work. Whether you're writing an article for publication or working on your thesis, gain more exposure for your work by making it open access. Or, you can even publish your own journal with the help of this Guide to Open Access Journals Publishing.
3. Get Involved. International Open Access Week takes place October 24 - 31. All over the world students, professors, librarians, scientists, and researchers will take part in activities that will help spread the word about the benefits of open access. What can you do? Check out the Open Access Week 2011 guide to taking action.
4. Learn more. Check out these resources for more information about open access issues:

• The Right to Research Coalition: an advocacy group founded by students to promote an open scholarly publishing system based on the belief that no student should be denied access to the articles they need because their institution cannot afford the often high cost of access.
• SPARC®, the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition: an international alliance of academic and research libraries working to correct imbalances in the scholarly publishing system.
• Create Change: an educational initiative that examines new opportunities in scholarly communication, advocates changes that recognize the potential of the networked digital environment, and encourages active participation by scholars and researchers to guide the course of change.
• Open Access Directory: a compendium of lists about open access to science and scholarship, maintained by the open access community at large.