Library Access Policy

Our Library Access Policy is designed to facilitate fair, reliable, and sustainable institutional access to Global Journals® content, while balancing the needs of open access, licensing terms, and long-term preservation. Below you will find the principles, terms, and procedures that libraries should expect when subscribing or accessing our content.

Access Eligibility & Authentication

  • Authorized users
  • Libraries subscribing to Global Journals® receive access rights on behalf of affiliated users, faculty, students, researchers, staff, and authorized guests.
  • Authentication mechanisms
  • We support multiple authentication methods, such as IP-based access, proxy / VPN, Shibboleth / OpenAthens / SSO integration, or token-based access.
  • Remote access
  • Where permitted, libraries may configure remote access (e.g. via proxy or VPN) so that off-campus users can access resources just as if they were on-site.

Subscription vs Open Access Content

  • Subscription content
  • For journals or articles not open access, library access is controlled under license. Subscribers access content per the terms of their agreement.
  • Open access content
  •  All open access articles published by Global Journals® are freely available to everyone without restrictions. Libraries may index, mirror, or link to these openly published items.
  • Open access content
  •  All open access articles published by Global Journals® are freely available to everyone without restrictions. Libraries may index, mirror, or link to these openly published items.
  • Embargoed materials
  • Some subscription content may be subject to embargo periods (e.g. content only becomes open after 6, 12, or 24 months). During embargoes, full text is restricted to subscribing institutions. After embargoes, content becomes openly accessible.

Perpetual Access & Post-Cancellation Rights

  • Perpetual access (continuing access)
  • Libraries are entitled to perpetual access to content published during their active subscription period. This means that even if a subscription is not renewed, the library retains access (or archival rights) to those issues covered under the contract. (This is sometimes called post-cancellation access).
  • Archival preservation
  • We partner with trusted archiving services (e.g. LOCKSS, CLOCKSS, Portico) or mirror systems to assure content persistence and long-term access, even in the event of system changes or publisher transitions.
  • Migration & format stability
  •  All open access articles published by Global Journals® are freely available to everyone without restrictions. Libraries may index, mirror, or link to these openly published items.
  • Embargoed materials
  • We commit to maintaining stable formats, metadata, and links so that library systems (catalogs, link resolvers) remain functional over time.

Licensing & Usage by Libraries

  • Usage rights & permitted activities
  • Under the license, libraries may allow lawful use by their patrons: downloading, printing, linking, classroom display, course reserves (within copyright / license limits).
  • Interlibrary loan / document delivery
  • Libraries may supply parts or copies (e.g. individual articles) through document delivery/interlibrary loan in line with the license terms and applicable copyright law.
  • Indexing & cataloging
  •  Libraries may incorporate journal metadata, table of contents feeds, MARC records, or discovery data into their catalogs and discovery systems (link resolvers, OPAC, discovery layers)
  • Third-party content
  • Where an article includes third-party materials (images, tables) under separate permissions, libraries must respect those reuse limits.

Subscription Administration & Renewal

  • License negotiation
  • Subscription agreements clarify access terms, authentication scope, perpetual rights, pricing, renewal conditions, and escalation clauses.
  • Renewal & cancellation
  • Libraries may renew or cancel subscriptions per the contract. Upon cancellation, perpetual access rights remain in force for content published during active terms.
  • Usage reporting
  • We provide COUNTER-compliant usage statistics and analytics to help libraries evaluate value, cost-per-use, and user behavior.
  • Support & technical integration
  • Our technical team assists with library setup: IP ranges, proxy configuration, link resolvers, metadata ingestion, and troubleshooting.

Compliance, Transparency & Intellectual Freedom

  • Transparency of policy
  • All terms, fees, and license conditions are clearly disclosed. Libraries may review policies at any time.
  • Respect for intellectual freedom
  • In alignment with principles of librarianship and intellectual freedom, we support equitable access to knowledge and do not block or filter content based on ideology or viewpoint.
  • Policy revision & notification
  •  When access or licensing policies are updated (embargo duration, access rules, authentication methods), we notify subscribing libraries in advance and provide transition support.