It's a shame physical books seem to be obsolete at university libraries. The public can't go in and browse now -- one needs a license to access the e-books.
There's generally unaffiliated access. If you want to take things out on loan that's an annual fee but at least at the UCs it's pretty permissable. I've even gotten access to rare book collections, just as random joe q public.
There's usually a public access backdoor somewhere. Almost nobody uses it but it's there.
Usually I'll find maybe a rare copy of something at some scholarly library, they've always been ok with me if I email ahead. It's been really painless.
Some libraries even have digitisation devices you can use as a replacement to the old copy machines.
That's more than enough for me, I don't actually need to leave with the library's copy. Some photos are fine.
Apparently even the restrictive Caltech will do it although I haven't yet had a need to exercise their system
This is just categorically untrue. I've been able to peruse and yes even read very rare manuscripts at the NYU library all while being a mere "civilian" (no uni affiliation)
