Open Educational Resources and the Knowledge Commons

Elinor Ostrom and Charlotte Hess introduced the idea of a knowledge commons, or that we should view knowledge as a shared resource in the digital era.  The knowledge commons follows in both the European tradition of resisting enclosures, as well as the American tradition of shared space allowing for freedom of speech and democratic practices.  Open Educational Resources (OER) are one form of open knowledge that envisions the knowledge commons as a space for equal access to and participation in creation of knowledge.

OER remove financial and legal barriers to knowledge, advancing the core mission of equitable access and broadening who can contribute to knowledge creation.  OER are free, openly licensed teaching, learning, and research materials.  By championing the OER and the Commons, libraries act as stewards of a more inclusive, participatory knowledge ecosystem.  Unlike commercial publishing models that restrict access through high costs or limited licenses, OER allows users to revise, adapt, and redistribute materials.  This fundamental shift empowers users as contributors to knowledge production, not just consumers.

OER can have a tremendous impact on higher education, where high cost of course materials often impedes student success.  Libraries supporting OER initiatives directly cut these costs, ensuring all students, regardless of socioeconomic background, have immediate access to necessary materials.  This access reduces structural inequities within educational systems.

Furthermore, OER initiatives significantly expand instructional and collaborative roles of libraries.  Librarians routinely collaborate with faculty to find, evaluate, and develop open materials that align with curriculum goals.  In this capacity, librarians provide essential expertise in information literacy, copyright, and licensing, especially in navigating open licenses that define permissions for use and reuse.  Such efforts are crucial for teaching, learning, and cultivating the ethical, transparent knowledge practices vital for democratic participation.

By fully embracing OER and principles of the Commons, libraries reinforce their dedication to the public good.  Libraries are more than just access points.  They serve as active contributors to a more equitable knowledge commons.  In this capacity, libraries help foster necessary conditions for a thriving democratic society: access to information, ability to critically engage with knowledge, and opportunity to participate in its continuous creation.

Stacy Katz