Access to research is a problem even for librarians or academics, even at top research universities. The broader public suffers because of the heavy cost of subscriptions, the obstacle course of paywalls, and the fragmentation of publishing models.
How do we tackle this, as scholars, reference professionals, and as individual citizens looking to understand our world and learn? We asked that question and got hundreds of responses.
We crowdsourced over 25 different techniques to access research when you don't have a library, license, or subscription.
The result is a comprehensive, open guide that I hope you'll find beneficial, strategic, or enlightening. I share it in the realization that we are all struggling for access, no matter our region, institution, or title.
This is version 1.0! If you think it's useful, please say something about it in your network.
Investigating solutions for frustrated scholars, nonprofits, independent learners, and the rest of us.
Best,
Jake Orlowitz
Head of the Wikipedia Library