Librarian helps researchers navigate open access rules

Josh Bolick | Scholarly Communication & Copyright Librarian | KU Libraries

Research doesn’t finish after a scholar has completed their study. The information must be published so other experts and members of the public can learn from the work. Academic librarians like Josh Bolick help researchers navigate the increasingly complex publishing landscape while protecting their rights as authors.

Bolick is the head of the David Shulenburger Office of Scholarly Communication & Copyright in KU Libraries. He joined KU in 2015 after earning a bachelor’s in history and philosophy/religion from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and a master’s in library and information sciences from Florida State University.

In his role at KU, Bolick provides one-on-one consultations with faculty members, research staff and graduate students on the publishing process. This includes topics such as where to publish a paper, visibility and impact metrics, and copyright and fair use considerations in teaching and research. He also works with other units like the Office of Faculty Affairs and the Office of Research to reach wider audiences through virtual webinars for scholars and explanatory emails to principal investigators.

“Josh is knowledgeable, persistent and proactive. That’s a powerful combination that’s well-suited to his role in scholarly communications, a dynamic area with many stakeholders with different roles and needs,” said Scott Hanrath, associate dean for research engagement in KU Libraries.

One area of publishing that is especially dynamic in recent years is open access rules that apply to federally funded research. In 2022, the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy issued a memo on public access that applies to research funded by federal agencies. Requirements laid out in the memo went into effect in December 2025 and state that the results of federally funded research must be made publicly available immediately upon publication.

Bolick works closely with research administrators to communicate the details of this requirement to KU scholars. His guidance helps researchers remain compliant with federal requirements while maximizing the visibility and reach of their work.

“Josh is an excellent partner with extensive knowledge of open access and scholarly publishing, supporting investigators in one of the most visible outcomes of research conducted at KU,” said Alicia Reed, assistant vice chancellor for research administration in the Office of Research.

“We have successfully collaborated on several projects, and I greatly value Josh’s expertise and enthusiasm as we work to comply with research-related public access requirements and support KU investigators.”

Bolick is also passionate about open access for learners. He works with colleagues as part of KU’s participation in Openstax, a nonprofit, grant-funded initiative that develops open, affordable textbooks for high-enrollment courses to address the high cost of course materials for undergraduate students. Bolick co-edited “Scholarly Communication Librarianship and Open Knowledge,” an open textbook with contributions from 80 experts, that helps other practitioners in the field better serve their patrons. He is also an elected member of the Steering Committee for Scholarly Publishing & Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC), an influential nonprofit that supports open systems for research and education.

“Josh is a highly valued member of the KU Libraries team,” Hanrath said. “He’s a strong communicator, clear about deadlines, and follows through on commitments.”