On March 20, 2025, Duke Kunshan University (DKU) Library hosted the faculty-library workshop titled “Open Access and Academic Libraries: Development and Resources”. Held at LIB 2001, this event provided faculty members with an opportunity to engage in discussions about the evolving landscape of open access (OA) publishing and its implications for academic research.
The workshop commenced with opening remarks from Mengjie Zou, Interim University Librarian at DKU, who underscored the historical shifts in scholarly publishing—from handwritten manuscripts to the emergence of digital open-access platforms. She highlighted the rising costs of journal subscriptions and the challenges faced by researchers in making their work widely accessible, emphasizing the importance of understanding OA models and their impact on academia.
Andrew Lee, Research and Instruction Librarian, led the first segment by introducing the fundamental principles of OA and discussing its latest trends. He traced the development of the movement, from the Budapest Open Access Initiative to present-day publishing models, explaining how different approaches such as Gold, Green, and Hybrid OA affect accessibility and affordability for researchers.
Following this, Hongyi Gong, Research and Instruction Librarian, focused on DKU faculty’s engagement with OA publishing. She shared insights from institutional data, highlighting trends in DKU-authored OA publications, faculty perceptions, and existing support mechanisms. She also introduced resources available to DKU researchers, including Duke-supported OA initiatives and guidance on navigating APC waivers.
The session concluded with an open forum, allowing faculty members to ask questions, share their experiences, and discuss potential challenges in OA publishing. Through this workshop, DKU Library reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a transparent and accessible research environment. By providing faculty with critical knowledge and support, the Library aims to strengthen scholarly communication and encourage the responsible adoption of open-access practices.
If you have any questions related to scholarly publishing or OA resources, you are welcome to contact your subject librarian:
• Hongyi Gong (Natural & Applied Sciences, ECE, Med Phys, MMS), hongyi.gong@dukekunshan.edu.cn
• Mengjie Zou (Arts and Humanities, LCC, Global Health), mengjie.zou@dukekunshan.edu.cn
• Andrew Lee (Social Sciences, iMEP), andrewyanqing.lee@dukekunshan.edu.cn