Information is not free

All libraries - public, academic, medical, or other - buy material to support the needs of their users. According to the College Board's 2020 Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid (pdf) report, students at 4-year colleges and universities spent an average of $1240.00 per year on books and supplies. Elsevier, one of the largest publishers of academic journals, charges an average of $31.50 per article for those who do not have a subscription. Imagine how much you would spend per semester if you had to pay directly for everything.

That is where libraries help you. By pooling costs, subscribing to the academic journals and buying books and other sources that support your school's academic programs, you have access to more - and better - information when you need it.

The next page puts costs of academic material in context.