Managing disruptions to read and publish access to Elsevier's academic journals

Open Access

Currently over 30% of Elsevier journals recent content is already available open access – all open access content will continue to be accessible.  Information on Open Access can be found on ResearchHub.

Post Termination Access (PTA)

A substantial volume of previously subscribed content up to end-2025 can be accessed via ‘post termination access’ (PTA) rights, for selected journals on the ScienceDirect platform. Past University of Auckland data usage indicates that 52% of downloads were content we would retain access to through post termination access. 

Article indexes

Elsevier articles are indexed in Scopus, the Scopus subscription is not affected and you will still have access to it. If the full-text is not available, this could be sourced via interlibrary delivery. 

Document Delivery

We are currently investigating document delivery options, additional to interlibrary loan. 

Institutional and subject-based repositories

Much content can be accessed through institutional and subject-based repositories.  Examples include the University of Auckland repository or the Social Sciences Research Network.

Talis Reading Lists

The Library is currently analysing reading lists for ScienceDirect content and will leverage other subscriptions or document delivery options to ensure access to required articles for 2026 where possible.  

Some older articles, published prior to 2026, will remain available where our agreements allow. In addition, many non-university research libraries inside and outside ANZ will continue to have access and can supply articles through interloan. We are also exploring other options for obtaining articles when needed. 

There will be no impact to other subscribed Elsevier research tools such as Scopus, SciVal or ClinicalKey.   

Yes, we will still have access to books and other content that we have purchased.  

Yes. Researchers can continue to publish in Elsevier journals regardless of the library’s subscription status. 

• Open Access publishing: You may publish in Elsevier’s hybrid or gold open-access journals. If choosing this route, an article processing charge may apply. 
• Green Open Access publishing: Green Open Access publishing is making an earlier version of your work legally and openly available in an online repository or archive. Find out more on the ResearchHub.
• Closed-access publishing: You can also publish under the traditional subscription (closed-access) model. If you are unsure about the process or requirements, we recommend contacting the journal editor for guidance.   

• Seek alternative publishing venues: Authors can also consider alternative publishers that have CAUL open access agreements. 
• Diamond OA Journals: Many Diamond open access journals are free to publish and read can be found via the Directory of Open Access Journals. 
• Project funds: Researchers might elect to allocate projects funds for open access publishing.    

It depends. You can deposit your article and Library staff will check open policy finder to see which version of your journal article can be made legally available on ResearchSpace in accordance with your journal's terms and conditions. The Library will only make your research open if it is legal to do so.   

• Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland has access to a number of open access publishing agreements, enabling authors to publish in a variety of open access journals.
• For fully open access journals, articles accepted after the article caps are reached will require payment of an article processing charge. Authors may use alternative funding sources (e.g. self-funded, Open Access Support Fund, Research Development Fund) to cover these costs.
• Some publishers, including Springer, Taylor & Francis and Oxford University Press, offer article processing charge discounts to eligible authors publishing in their fully open access journals.