Shadow library

Shadow libraries (also pirate libraries or black open access) are online repositories of freely available digital media that are normally paywalled, access-controlled, or otherwise not readily accessible.^[1]^[2] Shadow libraries usually contain textual works like academic papers and ebooks, and may include other digital media like software, music, or films.

Anna's Archive, Library Genesis, Sci-Hub, UbuWeb and Z-Library are some of the most popular shadow libraries for books and academic literature.^[1]^[3]^[4]

^ ^a ^b Karaganis, Joe, ed. (2018). Shadow Libraries: Access to Knowledge in Global Higher Education. MIT Press. doi:10.7551/mitpress/11339.001.0001. ISBN 978-0-262-34569-9. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
^ Cite error: The named reference VC-20221139 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Van der Sar, Ernesto (November 19, 2022). ""Anna's Archive" Opens the Door to Z-Library and Other Pirate Libraries". TorrentFreak. Archived from the original on November 19, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
^ "About UbuWeb". ubu.com. Retrieved April 6, 2025.

[Karaganis2018-1] Karaganis, Joe, ed. (2018). Shadow Libraries: Access to Knowledge in Global Higher Education. MIT Press. doi:10.7551/mitpress/11339.001.0001. ISBN 978-0-262-34569-9. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2020.

[VC-20221139-2] Cite error: The named reference VC-20221139 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[TF-20221119-3] Van der Sar, Ernesto (November 19, 2022). ""Anna's Archive" Opens the Door to Z-Library and Other Pirate Libraries". TorrentFreak. Archived from the original on November 19, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2023.

[4] "About UbuWeb". ubu.com. Retrieved April 6, 2025.

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