Emerging Trends in Digital Libraries: A Study of Open Access Resources

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines emerging trends in Open Access (OA) within the context of digital libraries, focusing on how OA has transformed the discovery, preservation, and dissemination of scholarly resources. It aims to highlight the significant developments in OA practices, policies, and infrastructures between 2015 and 2020. Methodology: The paper synthesizes empirical studies and meta-research published during 2015–2020. It draws upon large-scale analyses, policy reviews, and case studies to evaluate the expansion of OA content, the development of discovery tools, and the role of institutional and governmental mandates in shaping digital library practices. Findings: The analysis reveals several notable trends: (a) rapid growth of OA repositories, Gold/Hybrid journals, and preprint servers; (b) strengthening of infrastructures and discovery services such as DOAJ, CORE, and Unpaywall; (c) increasing influence of mandates and policies on OA compliance; (d) integration of advanced services within digital libraries, including metadata enhancement, user experience innovations, and text-and-data mining. Alongside these advancements, challenges remain in ensuring sustainability, addressing global inequities, maintaining quality, and securing long-term preservation. Implications: For librarians, repository managers, policymakers, and funders, the findings underscore the need for sustainable models, greater collaboration, and continuous innovation in digital library services. The results suggest that future success depends on balancing growth with equity and long-term preservation strategies. Originality: This study contributes to the discourse on digital libraries by framing OA not only as a matter of increased content availability but also as a qualitative shift in infrastructure, policy enforcement, and technological innovation. It consolidates insights from the 2015–2020 period to inform future directions in digital library development.