Open Access (OA) makes research accessible immediately upon publication with no restrictions. Anyone with internet access can find, read, mine, cite and share OA articles at no cost to them. OA scholarly literature is free of charge and often carries less restrictive copyright and licensing barriers than traditionally published works, for both the users and the authors.
While OA is a newer form of scholarly publishing, many OA journals comply with well-established peer-review processes and maintain high publishing standards.
Traditional vs OA Journals
The traditional way to access scholarly research is by purchasing a copy of an individual article, which can be quite expensive. Academic libraries purchase institutional subscriptions to many journals and provide access to their students and staff through online library databases and/or print copies. This restricts access to those who can afford to purchase articles and to those who have access to an academic library.
In contrast, journals and/or articles published via Open Access, allow anyone, anywhere to access the information without having to pay or be affiliated with an academic library.
Search for OA Resources:
- DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals) - extensive index of diverse Open Access journals from around the world
- DOAB (Directory of Open Access Books) - indexes and provides access to scholarly, peer-reviewed Open Access books
- PLOS (Public Library of Science) Journals - suite of influential Open Access journals across all areas of science and medicine
OA in Summon
PCC Library's Summon Search includes Open Access materials. When you search Summon, there will be an indication of peer-review, open access, etc. for each item in the results list. You can choose to view only Open Access resources by checking beside Open Access under Refine Your Search.
Learn more:
Have more questions about Open Access? Ask a librarian!
Did you know that the Library houses the campus archives?
There are also a significant number of PCC general catalogs and yearbooks that have been digitized and made available online. Take a look at the Library's PCC Archives page to see what is available.
What types of materials are found in the archives?
The Pitt Community College Archives collects materials of permanent historical and/or cultural value generated by and for the administration, academic departments, faculty, staff, special programs, and student organizations. This includes artifacts, official records, correspondence, papers, and publications. Through its collections, the archives promote an awareness of the diverse history and culture of PCC and our role in the community.
What about photographs?
Although not part of the archives held by the Library, you can view photographs taken by campus photographer Rob Goldberg by visiting Pitt CC on Flickr.
Need more info?
If you have questions, want to view print items in the archives, or have materials to donate, please contact Evan Schmoll, at eschmoll241@my.pittcc.edu or by calling 252-493-7359.