There are many challenges when attempting to understand the current open access environment, and the frameworks and best practices that are driving the movement forward. Collection development and scholarly communications have become a partnership of blurred lines, as paid subscriptions must be managed in parallel with open access content. Given the rapid pace of change, the coverage of the past 20 years of open access is the most relevant to grasp present conditions and the trajectory of the future of open access initiatives. Within that time frame, important milestones, advocacy groups, open access models, and sprouting enterprises will illustrate what is meant when open access is discussed.