A.R. Dykes Library Blog

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is the sole source of federal funding for public and state libraries such as the State of Kansas Library and provides funding for resources, computer/wi-fi accessibility, and interlibrary loan services that all Kansans may access free of charge. For a fact sheet on how the IMLS funding benefits Kansas, click here.

Through its IMLS funding the State of Kansas Library provides all KUMC library users access to a number of EBSCO research databases, including:

The elimination of the IMLS would remove the financial support provided to the State of Kansas that mitigates the cost of research databases, and could result in the removal of continued free access to these databases for all Kansans and KUMC library users. 

For more information on the IMLS and its positive impacts, click this link to learn more.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. In observation, KUMC is holding several events throughout the month. After attending one of these events, the library has added two of the local organizations to an online resource guide that includes social and public services. These two organizations that support those affected by domestic violence and/or sexual assault are MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization Countering Sexual Assault) and Rose Brooks. You can find out more of the great work they do by continuing to their websites. On the resource guide, you can find a PDF titled “Community Resources Guide”, curated by library specialists, that contains a broad range of community resources in the Kansas City area.

Doing a simple internet search on domestic violence, sexual assault, or virtually any other topic can result in an overabundance of results, which can be very overwhelming. KUMC’s library guides exist to help users focus on trusted websites, data, and resources that will help them in their research and educational endeavors, and KUMC librarians spend a good deal of time updating an curating reliable information and resources. So, next time you are inundated by a large number of so-so search results or want to save some time by getting directly to quality resources, check the library guides developed by your librarians or reach out to us by text, chat, or email!

We're excited to announce that Dykes Library has entered into three new open access funding agreements. KUMC corresponding authors whose manuscripts are accepted for publication in eligible journals during the agreement term will have their article processing charges (APCs) waived. 

1. Cambridge University Press
   1. Agreement term: 2025
   2. Over 350 eligible hybrid and fully open access journals
2. Institute of Physics (IOP)
   1. Agreement term: 2025-2026
   2. Most journals are eligible
3. PLOS
   1. Agreement term: 2025-2026
   2. All PLOS journals are eligible

Why Publish Open Access?

1. Publishing open access advances global equity. Researchers around the world who lack funds to acquire paywalled articles may access your research without subscription fees. 
2. Equitable access to research will lead to increased citations of your articles. 
3. Increased access to research accelerates scientific findings and drives innovation.
4. Publishing open access under Dykes Library's agreements allows us to achieve the full value of our open access investments. 

Visit our Open Access publishing guide for more details about publishing under these agreements, as well as our other open access funding opportunities. 

Happy publishing!