Open Access and Collection Development Policies: Two Solitudes?

Although open access (OA) services and policies have been implemented by many institutions, there has been little discussion, and integration of OA into collection policy development. This paper reports on an environmental scan and strategic planning exercise that will inform institutional collection policy development activities at the University of Toronto, a premiere academic institution in North America. The paper outlines multi-method original research with varied stakeholder groups. The state of collection development policies related to many types of OA materials, issues and activities including but not limited to digitization projects, journal publishing, institutional repositories, metadata, consortia projects, memberships and author funds is examined. A variety of approaches and concerns are identified that cross research methodologies and stakeholder groups. The analysis scrutinizes what types of materials and activities are addressed by existing policies in North America. The paper’s overall purpose is to assist both management and collection development practitioners in better understanding trends and possible strategies for integrating OA materials into collections. Results represent a rich resource for academic libraries looking to mainstream open access into collection development, and beyond.