Open Access Week 2009, organized by the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC) of the Association of Research Libraries, is a week-long event held during the week of October 19-23, 2009. Participants at locations around the world have scheduled activities that will help to publicize open access as the principle of free access to knowledge and information generated by publicly-funded research. In observance of International Open Access Week, the LSU Libraries is scheduling several events to promote awareness and understanding of Open Access.

There will be information available for in the Middleton Library and Librarians will answer questions and engage discussions about open access. OnTuesday, October 20 there will be a short video showing of "Open Access – 101" at 1:00 p.m. in Room 241A of the Middleton Library. On Wednesday, October 21 there will be a panel discussion at 1:00 p.m. in Room 241A of the Middleton Library featuring distinguished speakers from the LSU campus addressing the issue of open access at LSU. On Friday, October 23 there will be a presentation at 1:00 p.m. in Room 241A, Middleton Library, featuring openly accessible databases and resources that are freely available to anyone through the Library’s webpage.

These events are open to everyone and everyone is invited.  Open Access is important and it is our desire that everyone has unfettered access to public information.