10 years of the IFLA open access statement: a call to action

Abstract

Full and immediate free access to research outputs and publications ensures that everyone - including researchers, policy makers, citizens, scientists, and the public - has the data, evidence, and knowledge they need to address societal, environmental, and global challenges. IFLA defines open access in its 2011 statement that in turn endorses the Budapest Open Access Initiative definition. IFLA recognizes and supports that the open distribution of scholarship needs to be more inclusive of marginalized research communities and actively foster bibliodiversity through a range of models, languages, and means of publishing. This 2022 document reviews the steps taken towards the vision articulated by IFLA in 2011 and identifies new areas in need of urgent action. Libraries provide critical support for the development of Open Access as a societal good. Libraries are uniquely positioned to support the equitable and inclusive development of publishing opportunities, including serving as infrastructure for publishing initiatives and educating authors about pathways for publishing their works open access.