Open access publications provide scholars with unrestricted access to the "conversation" that is the basis for the advancement of knowledge. The large number of open access journals, archives, and depositories already in existence demonstrates the technical and economic viability of providing unrestricted access to the literature that is the life-blood of scholarship. Although many of these resources are new and, therefore, are not yet as prestigious as more established publication venues, various studies suggest that as open access journals become better known they will have an impact comparable to traditional publications.