Current landscape of open educational resources initiatives by Malaysian academic libraries

This academic article evaluates the current landscape, operational roles, and structural challenges of Open Educational Resources (OER) initiatives within Malaysian academic libraries. Influenced by global open science and open data movements, the involvement of librarians remains crucial yet primarily focused on resource curation and user education. To systematically examine these adoption dynamics, this qualitative study investigates librarian engagements through the lens of the CARE Framework across three primary structural dimensions: (1) Current State of Library-Led OER Initiatives, evaluating the creation and deployment of targeted library research guides (LibGuides) to enhance user awareness and facilitate the discovery of open courseware; (2) Operational and Institutional Challenges, identifying critical barriers faced by academic librarians, including limited stakeholder engagement, inadequate policy frameworks, and resource constraints that hinder widespread OER promotion and usage; and (3) Strategic Guidelines for Sustainable Stewardship, providing actionable frameworks for future professional development, capacity building, and institutional advocacy to sustain OER services. The findings demonstrate that while Malaysian academic libraries show strong commitment to supporting open education, overcoming systemic hurdles is essential to maximizing OER adoption. Ultimately, this research offers a strategic roadmap for academic libraries, higher education institutions, and policymakers seeking to enhance OER sustainability and democratize access to quality education across Malaysia.