Skip to content The Open University
  1. Open Access Information Resources
  2. Open Access Information Resources

Open Access Information Resources

You are welcome to use the following free internet resources to support your studies and research.

Download the Widening Access to Library Resources Bulletin - no. 15, November 2012

Previous issues of the bulletin are also available.

man studying

Open University Library resources

ROUTES
Provides access to selected quality-assessed Internet resources for Open University modules.

SAFARI
An interactive online tutorial designed to help you develop your ability to search for, evaluate and manage information.

iKnow
iKnow is all about information and knowledge at work. The site offers a variety of free resources aimed at helping you to find and manage information effectively at work. The activities have been created in bite-sized chunks, so that you can fit them in whenever you have a few free minutes, and can be done at your desk or on the move.

Open University resources

Skills for OU Study
The resources and activities available from this website provide tips about effective study skills in areas such as assignments, exams and thinking, reading and taking notes and a broad range of related areas. A few of the resources are only available to Open University students and staff.

OpenLearn
Provides free online learning material taken from Open University modules in 11 different subject areas which includes "Finding Information" in your chosen subject. Use this facility to rate your own skills at finding and using information. OpenLearn also contains library related material on information skills and lists freely available resources.

Open Research Online
A repository of Open Univeristy research publications and other research outputs which can be freely browsed and searched. They will also guide you to other open access resources.

Other information sources

Many electronic resources are licensed by individual institutions and these are not generally available to partner institutions. However the following collections are open electronic resources and can be used by anyone. Follow the link to see how we choose what to include.