Abstract Open Science (OS) is reshaping global research through transparency, inclusivity, and collaboration, yet its institutionalization in the Global South remains limited. This study assesses how Zambian academic libraries sustain OS by examining librarians’ roles, adoption of tools, institutional readiness, and implementation barriers. Using a cross-sectional survey of 124 library professionals across universities and research organizations, results show strong adoption of open-access repositories (81.5 %) and journals (75.8 %), but weak uptake of data sharing, preprints, and open peer review. While librarians value their OS roles highly, institutional frameworks policies, leadership, and funding are underdeveloped. Significant differences by education and institution type indicate uneven readiness. Key barriers include low awareness (80.6 %), inadequate resources (77.4 %), and skills gaps (58.1 %). The study concludes that Zambia’s libraries are progressing toward OS but require policy integration, sustainable funding, and capacity-building to transition from project-based openness to a system-level, institutionalized Open Science model.
Mvula et al. (Thu,) studied this question.