The Weakest Link – Workflows in open access agreements: The experience of the Vienna University Library and recommendations for future negotiations

In recent years open access (OA) publishing agreements have left a lasting impact on several aspects of the research life cycle, and on the manner in which institutions work with publishers and researchers to support the transition to OA. This article examines the Vienna University Library’s hands-on experience with OA agreements. It describes existing workflows, reviews the benefits of the various systems in place and identifies areas for improvement. Items for discussion are also proposed for organizations when negotiating OA agreements with publishers, and potential pitfalls to be avoided are highlighted.