Open Access Complete Ebook Subscription extends library collections with free, high-quality materials

Over the last two decades open access (OA) content has become increasingly important to scholarly research. But what exactly is OA and how do academic libraries benefit from OA content? How do free resources like Open Access Complete Ebook Subscription from ProQuest™, part of Clarivate™ address any concerns librarians have about OA?

Let's explore these questions together.

What Is Open Access?

OA grants free access with fewer restrictions to scholarly content online. Restrictions vary, from the least restrictive, which grants anyone to access read, download and share research without having to pay or deal with licensing, to those that may require attribution or restrict commercial use of the content.

OA can be a game-changer for students, faculty and researchers, particularly in developing countries or smaller institutions that may lack the financial resources to access expensive scholarly content.

What are the benefits of Open Access content?

The academic community needs access to trustworthy research regardless of publishing model. They want to know that they can read the full text of an article when they click on it and that they can access the underlying data. And they want to know that the funding is trackable and transparent.

When the article is easily accessible and shareable, the dots are easier to join, the connections are explicit, and collaborations are more natural and meaningful. The process of scientific discovery is faster, and it is easier to ensure research integrity and reproducibility.

Can libraries trust Open Access?

While the benefits of OA are clear, some institutions may still have concerns about the quality and reliability of OA content. Reputable OA journals and publishers maintain the same rigorous standards as traditional, subscription-based journals. Tools such as the Master Journal List or the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) help libraries and researchers identify high-quality OA content that meets strict editorial criteria. By leveraging trusted OA sources, academic libraries can confidently incorporate these resources into their collections.

Furthermore, trusted partners such as ProQuest provide essential vetting, ensuring that the OA content integrated into their platforms meets the standards that academic institutions expect.

How Open Access Complete from ProQuest supports libraries

For libraries, open access also represents an opportunity to maximize the value of their collections. By complementing subscription resources with OA content, libraries can offer a more comprehensive suite of research materials without overburdening budgets.

Open Access Complete from ProQuest is a free subscription-based solution designed to address the need for OA content in academic libraries. With Open Access Complete, libraries gain access to a highly curated collection of OA ebooks from University Presses and other renowned scholarly publishers. All OA content is vetted by a team of in-house collection development librarians to ensure the highest quality and relevance to academic audiences. Like other ProQuest ebook subscriptions, the content in Open Access Complete continues to grow, ensuring it offers the latest, most relevant content. With the recent addition of over 5,000 new titles, Open Access Complete now includes more than 21,000 titles.

Here’s how Open Access Complete empowers libraries:

• • Reliable, Curated Content: ProQuest carefully selects OA content to ensure it meets the quality expectations of academic institutions. This reduces the risk of low-quality materials infiltrating the library’s collection.
  • Streamlined Access: Open Access Complete integrates OA materials directly into the library’s existing Ebook Central platform. This makes it easier for users to discover OA content alongside subscription-based resources, providing a seamless research experience.
  • Cost-Effective Solutions: By incorporating open access resources, libraries can enhance their collections without incurring additional costs. This allows for more strategic allocation of library budgets, focusing on essential subscriptions while leveraging high-quality OA content.
  • Global Reach: Open Access Complete offers a diverse range of scholarly ebooks from across the globe with content in more than 15 languages to support the library’s mission to provide access to a broad spectrum of research.

The free and easy way to add Open Access Complete to your library catalog

Adding Open Access Complete ebook titles to your library catalog is easy and free. Once enabled, access to the content is nearly instantaneous. Enable Open Access Complete by logging into your LibCentral account and opt-in following these step-by-step instructions:
https://support.proquest.com/s/article/Open-Access-Complete-on-Ebook-Central-FAQ

Interested in learning more about Open Access Complete and how it can enhance your library’s offerings? Request the title list to ensure it meets the quality expectations of your institution.