Imagine doing an online Masters, and there is only one paper copy of prescribed text.
The digital text can only be viewed by one person at a time. You cannot copy it, use text-to-speech and printing is limited to 50 pages.
The library refuses to change digital access.
#Accessibility #HigherEducation #Postgrad #Education #ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD #ADHD #Disability
#Libraries usually have to pay quite a lot of money for digital subscriptions and such subscriptions come with a number of restrictions. To allow access to more people might force the library to drop another subscription.
The problem is likely less to do with library policy and more to do with the state of academic publishing (as well a underfunded libraries).
I know that most academic libraries have been trying to change the system for years but they are fighting what are essentially cartels.
It isn't surprising that so many students, or even academic staff, turn to #piracy and use shadow libraries such as #SciHub or #LibGen. Since most authors, or even editors, don't get paid by the publishers it doesn't really hurt them at all.
David Wakeham
Óli Gneisti (English)
Guillaume Pasquier