The theme for Open Access Week 2017 is “Open in order to: __________.” In keeping with this theme, the Vanderbilt University Jean & Alexander Heard Libraries, in collaboration with the Vanderbilt Institute for Digital Learning (VIDL), the Office of the Associate Provost for Digital Learning, and the Center for Digital Humanities is inviting speakers and holding events that are demonstrative of the core principal of the University’s current strategic plan, which states that “Vanderbilt University aspires to shape the future of higher education and to foster the creation of knowledge that together improve the human condition.” Events will focus on bridging the information inequity gap through the creation and dissemination of Open Educational Resources and open textbooks, encouraging early career researchers to publish openly, and providing guidance on contributing to and using the largest collection of rights-free material, Wikipedia.

Vanderbilt University is open in order to: Bridge the information inequity gap to improve the human condition.