Abstract

RODRIGUEZ GALLARDO, Adolfo. Foundational elements for Open Access. Investig. bibl [online]. 2008, vol.22, n.44, pp.161-182. ISSN 2448-8321.

For more than two decades libraries have suffered a constant cost increase in periodicals available to their readers. However it is not just a matter of financing, a considerable interference from the scientific communication and has already overtaken the librarian. Scientific communication and subscription costs have been analysed by those who are most affected, namely scientists and academics, who have concluded that the solution to this problem is free access to scientific publications. The main arguments for Open Access are presented, together with interests associated with this model and with commercial publishing. It was found that the initiatives, declarations and projects of Open Access favor the unrestricted access to information by the scientific community.

Keywords : Open Access publications; Scientific communication; Subscription to periodicals; Academic libraries.