Meriam MegaMemo Fall 2025 Issue 1

Hello, Chico State faculty and welcome to your very own newsletter from Meriam Library – the always elucidating Meriam Memo! In this issue we’re providing all the news that’s fit to print on our high-performance computers and associated software in the Innovation Lab, sharing how open access is transforming educational equity, and spilling the tea on our new streaming services. Speaking of streaming services, what are Librarian Skylar Cotnam’s favorite movies? Watch the Meriam Minute and find out! 

A Guide for Chico State Authors

Open access publishing has become a central issue in scholarly communication, reshaping how knowledge is created, shared, and accessed. While expensive paywalls lock away research, open access makes scholarly work freely available to anyone with an internet connection. For academic libraries, this shift represents both a challenge and a tremendous opportunity to fulfill their mission of equitable access to information.
 

The California State University (CSU) system, including Chico State, has negotiated a series of transformative open access agreements with major publishers. These agreements cover some or all of the article processing charge (APC) that can cost thousands of dollars so CSU-affiliated authors can publish open access in approved journals at reduced or no cost. Chico State’s Academic Senate recently passed a resolution in support of open access, available here.

These opportunities were made possible through the stewardship of CSU libraries and the advocacy of CSU authors and readers. Currently, Chico State participates in four active agreements, with more potentially on the horizon (please see "Open Access at a Glance" below).
 

Articles published in open access journals are more widely read and cited because they are available to readers around the world without restriction. This increased visibility helps raise the profile of authors and their institutions while ensuring that important research reaches broader audiences.
 

By removing access barriers, open access also allows scholars at smaller or underfunded institutions, both in the United States and abroad, to engage with research on equal footing. This openness accelerates discovery and fosters collaboration by creating a truly global conversation.
 

The impact of open access extends beyond academia. Research benefits not only scholars but also policymakers, educators, healthcare providers, and members of the public who rely on timely information. Research Studies Press (2025) and Scientia International both emphasize that open access ensures knowledge can quickly move beyond academia into the hands of practitioners and policymakers as was made clear during the pandemic when subscription paywalls were temporarily lifted to support rapid response.
 

While the benefits are clear, open access is not without complications. APCs can run thousands of dollars per article, potentially disadvantaging early-career researchers or those without grant support. In addition, the rise of predatory journals, those outlets that exploit the open access model without proper peer review, poses risks to quality and credibility. Balancing affordability, sustainability, and scholarly integrity is a pressing issue that remains central to the negotiation of these transformative agreements.

Faculty now have more options for bringing film and video into their teaching. Meriam Library offers access to four streaming platforms that deliver documentaries, feature films, and educational media straight into your courses. Films can be linked through the Meriam Library catalog or embedded directly in Canvas to support instruction and student engagement.
 

DocuSeek provides independent documentaries focused on social issues and the environment. Kanopy features global cinema, thought-provoking documentaries, and a wide range of feature films. Swank Digital Campus offers popular films and Hollywood blockbusters often used in teaching. Academic Video Online (AVON) includes thousands of documentaries, newsreels, interviews, and archival footage across disciplines.
 

Finding films is simple: use the “Streaming Services” link on the library homepage or visit the A–Z Databases list under D (DocuSeek), K (Kanopy), S (Swank), or A (AVON). If a specific title isn’t available, you can request it through your department’s book chair or contact the library for help with comparable options.
 

Be sure to watch The Meriam Minute below for a hands-on tutorial on making the most of our new streaming services.