Synopsis
An argument for extending the circulation of knowledge with new publishing technologies considers scholarly, economic, philosophical, and practical issues.
Library Journal
Willinsky (literacy and technology, Univ. of British Columbia) offers an informed, well-rounded, and readable argument in favor of open access, perhaps the hot-button issue (sorry, Google) both for academic libraries and serials publishers in the digital age. His workmanlike effort defines the concept of open access in its many forms, from new Internet-based "author-pays" journals, such as those launched by the Public Library of Science, to government efforts and the advent of "self-archiving." Willinsky also does a commendable job of recapping the current serials crisis that has hamstrung library budgets. Where the author truly succeeds, however, is in illustrating the "access principle": the overarching thesis that access to knowledge benefits us all. Although he overreaches somewhat in positioning serials pricing as a human rights issue, his well-researched and soberly argued book convinces us that, despite a rocky transition and staunch resistance, the open access future may indeed be inevitable. Recommended for all academic libraries.-Andrew R. Albanese, Library Journal Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.