This year’s International Open Access Week (Oct. 20-26, 2025) invites the global academic community to reflect on a vital question: Who owns our knowledge? In a time of disruption, the theme challenges us to reassert control over the knowledge we produce and consider how scholarship is created, shared and accessed.

At the UD Library, Museums and Press, our staff is committed to advancing open access initiatives that ensure scholarship is not only accessible but also impactful. One powerful tool for UD faculty is Pressbooks, a Canvas-compatible platform. Pressbooks enables instructors to independently publish free, accessible digital resources — including textbooks, course guides and teaching materials — with interactive features that enhance student learning.

Professor Nigel Caplan praises the platform, noting: “Pressbooks allowed me to easily create a visually appealing and accessible resource ... I especially appreciate the level of support I’ve received throughout the process from the UD Library team.” Faculty who sign up gain access to ongoing training and technical support.

Open Education Librarian Jeanne Kambara adds that Pressbooks “empowers instructors to share their expertise more broadly and create resources that reflect the diversity of their students and fields.” By promoting open access publishing, we rethink knowledge ownership and put more equitable learning tools in the hands of educators.

This Open Access Week, UD invites faculty, students and staff to join the conversation and take action by creating resources that open doors for learners everywhere. To learn more about Pressbooks or request an account, contact Jeanne Kambara (jkambara@udel.edu).