Research Article

Implementation of Open Access Initiatives in Academic Libraries in Zimbabwe

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Abstract

Introduction: Open access initiatives in academic libraries have gained momentum globally, driven by the need for equitable access to scholarly knowledge and social justice.

Methods: A qualitative approach was employed to explore the status of open access programs in Zimbabwean academic libraries and examine the obstacles encountered during their execution. Data were collected through literature review, document and web content analysis of the websites of 20 academic libraries in Zimbabwe, open access platforms, registries, and signatories of open access policies.

Results: The findings revealed that the academic libraries had made some strides in initiating open access activities. Nonetheless, difficulties were encountered, including a lack of capital, a poor technology infrastructure, copyright issues, and opposition from conventional academic publishers. Notwithstanding these difficulties, these institutions have seen some encouraging developments, including the adoption of open access repositories, partnerships with foreign organizations to expand the accessibility of open access materials, open access publishing, the signing of open access declarations, and the creation of institutional open access policies.

Recommendations: The authors recommend strategies such as increasing funding for open access projects, investing in technological infrastructure, and building the capacity of both librarians and researchers. Collaboration among academic institutions, government bodies, and international organizations is crucial in sustaining the sustainable growth of open access in Zimbabwe.

Keywords: Open scholarship, Zimbabwe University Libraries Consortium, Library as publisher, Scholarly communication, Institutional repositories, Open access journals, African Platform for Open Scholarship

How to Cite:

Chigwada, J. & Ngulube, P., (2025) “Implementation of Open Access Initiatives in Academic Libraries in Zimbabwe”, Journal of Librarianship and Scholarly Communication 12(2). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/jlsc.18254

Rights:

© 2025 The Author(s). License: CC BY 4.0