Diamond Open Access (OA) journals provide free access for readers and do not charge authors any publication fees. These journals are typically managed by non-commercial publishers, such as academic institutions. Despite their value, many of these journals remain hidden, lacking visibility among scholars and library staff. The Electronic Journals Library (EZB), a collaborative service operated by the University Library of Regensburg, aims to improve the visibility of these journals and raise awareness of publication costs.
With over 25 years of history and 660+ participating institutions worldwide, the EZB is a widely used platform by both researchers and librarians for discovering, managing, and distributing data on electronic journals. Recently, the EZB introduced a dedicated category for Diamond OA journals. Thanks to this effort, more than 4,900 scholarly journals are currently labeled as ‘Diamond OA journals’ in the EZB, meeting the Diamond OA definition of the
German Research Foundation (DFG). We are also in ongoing exchange with the CRAFT-OA project regarding the Diamond OA criteria.
The systematic labeling of these journals follows a collaborative approach, reusing established data sources, particularly the DOAJ database, and relying on EZB community input. This involves regular updates to existing journal records and verification of newly added entries by the EZB community. Moreover, it empowers EZB libraries to actively participate by tagging their own Diamond Open Access journals, thereby enhancing the visibility and accessibility of such resources. In close cooperation with the DOAJ, we have
already achieved mutual improvements in the data.
This poster outlines the workflows, tools, and partnerships involved in this initiative, highlighting the importance of community collaboration in improving the visibility of Diamond OA journals and supporting equitable scholarly communication.