Is It Time to Retire the Open Access Colors? Rethinking How We Define and Measure Open Access 

For years, we've relied on labels like gold, green, hybrid, and bronze to describe open access publishing. But do these categories still reflect the evolving scholarly communication landscape? OpenAlex is considering a major shift in how open access is classified, moving away from the "color system" toward a more nuanced approach that distinguishes between access, location, and licensing. Join our next OpenCon Librarian Call for a discussion led by Ashley Farley, a member of the OpenAlex working group that developed the proposed recommendations. We'll explore the limitations of the current classification system, what the proposed changes could mean for libraries, and how they might affect open access reporting, research assessment, and advocacy. This is an opportunity to share your perspective! We'll discuss how libraries currently use OA classifications, what challenges a transition might present, and how the library community can help shape the future of open access measurement. Read the OpenAlex blog post ahead of the call and come ready to share your thoughts!

https://blog.openalex.org/is-it-time-to-retire-the-oa-colours-tell-us-what-you-think/

You can register for the November call here.