“The Cost of Knowledge” is the theme for this year’s International Open Access Week (October 19-25). 

As the costs of accessing research continue to rise, open access offers a way to expand the reach of scholarship. Join USC Libraries for sessions on using Scholar Commons to share and preserve research, and on navigating USC’s open access publishing agreements to identify publishing options covered by the university. 

Events: 

Navigating USC’s Open Access Agreements 

October 19, 2026 
1:00 – 2:00 PM 
Register: https://libcal.library.sc.edu/event/17710321  

USC’s open access publishing agreements make it possible for eligible authors to publish open access without paying article processing charges. This session will introduce the agreements available through USC Libraries, explain what they cover, and walk through the publishing process from selecting a journal to submitting an article. We will also spotlight the Open Access Resources guide and the USC Open Journal Finder. Bring your questions and feedback to help us make these resources and workflows even more useful. 

Introduction To Scholar Commons 

October 22, 2026 
2:00 – 3:00 PM 
Register: https://libcal.library.sc.edu/event/17710324  

Scholar Commons, USC’s institutional repository, can help you share, preserve, and increase the visibility of your research. Amie Freeman, Assistant Head of Acquisitions and Scholarly Communication, will introduce the repository and its uses for faculty and students. Scholar Commons is a free, open-access platform for preserving and sharing scholarship with a global audience, including articles, student research, creative projects, art, and more. 

Interested in more sessions on open access?  

View OA Week 2026 global events.