Finding Open Content in the Library Is Surprisingly Hard

Abstract

While library discovery systems offer great promise for delivering open access materials, they often fall short. Discovery tools merge multiple records together, and in the process show a preference for linking options that are less likely to successfully deliver open access full text. Third party tools offer options for bringing users to missing content, but these tools are often not fully supported in library systems. Library systems are so focused on keeping unauthorized users out of restricted content that it compromises their ability to get users into content that is freely available.