Open access policy a first for university

Research data, teaching materials and public records from Lincoln University will soon be open and freely accessible on the web.

The university is the first in New Zealand to implement an open access policy.

The decision to make content openly and freely available stems from the mindset that if public funding has supported the creation of an idea, research or other content, then it is reasonable and fair that it be made accessible to the public.

Professor Penny Carnaby, Lincoln University librarian, says it is a huge step forward for Lincoln University.

“While there will be circumstances when it would be inappropriate to make research or other content openly accessible to the public, Lincoln University wishes to actively encourage all content produced by staff and postgraduate students to be openly shared on the web.”

The University’s Open Access Policy encourages Lincoln University authors and content creators to use a Creative Commons or other public copyright licence.

A Creative Commons license provides free licences and tools that copyright owners can use to allow others to share, reuse and remix their material legally.

Content is be available through the Lincoln University Research Archive website and the newly created Lincoln University Community Archive website, an online history of the people, events, and local community since the founding of the institution, and its websites.

In another initiative to facilitate greater access to information and to foster literacy in the Selwyn District the University is working with the Selwyn District Council, National Library of New Zealand and Lincoln High School.

“While it’s early days yet, we are excited by the enormous possibilities of this alliance, and the potential to support literacy and the joy of reading in our district," says Carnaby."We want to connect to the 26 schools in the Selwyn district and extend learning opportunities through both the University and the public libraries in the district."