Open access is constantly discussed frequently on MEDLIB-L. It is hard not to go a week without some aspect of OA popping up with the proponents and oponents debating about it.
So what is Open Access? Well I sat here and typed and erased at least a hundred times my attempts at explannations. The fact is that while it seems like a simple concept, "Open-access literature is digital, online, free of charge, and free of most copyright and licensing restrictions. OA removes price barriers (subscription, licensing fees, pay-per-view fees) and permission barriers (most copyright and licensing restrictions)." (Peter Suber) However, it is a very large concept that has implication in libraries, scientific communities, and publishers.

With the cost of journals increasing exponentially, libraries welcome Open Access literature and Open Access journals. These scientific papers which are peer reviewed are free to the public. Libraries who have had to provide more with less money do not can easily give this quality information to those who need it.

Scientists can freely access important research anytime without common barriers established by non Open Access publishers. Additionaly authors retain their copyright to their work which is now available to a wider audience which in turn can increase its visiblity and impact.

For publishers, more than anything this is a drastic change in the way literature is distributed, archives, and owned (copyright). It seems the main argument publishers make is that Open Access is not viable for publishers. One argument is that you are taking the costs of publishing articles and receiving no compensation for the distribution and usage of said articles. However, there are Open Access publishers who are distributing quality research articles and have business models that appear to work.

I am neophyte when it comes to understanding Open Access, I find it very interesting. One of the best blogs I have found on Open Access is Open Access News. It is offers a much better overview of Open Access than I can. If the blog peaks your interest you can sign up for their newsletter and forum.