Wikipedia talk:The Wikipedia Library

This is the talk page for discussing The Wikipedia Library and anything related to its purposes and tasks.

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What resources in the library require additional subscriptions from us?

I have subscribed to Newspapers.com, but suspect I need to also apply for library subscriptions to ProQuest and Fold3. Is this correct? What other resources require additional applications from us? I tend to be a generalist and edit whatever article seems to need it. I should just apply for all of them, I think.

And if you have anything to do with providing this library access to us unwashed peons who just edit, thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU! It's as necessary to providing solid sources for articles as oxygen is to us. Oona Wikiwalker (talk) 02:54, 19 January 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Oona Wikiwalker, on this page you'll see the things you currently have access to, which include ProQuest and Fold3. If you click on "Available Collections" near the top of that page, you'll see the things you don't currently have access to but can apply for. Nikkimaria (talk) 20:31, 19 January 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you! I was confused because Fold3 has a "member login" button at the upper-right corner of the screen and when I search as a Wikipedia library patron, no images display. I guess we have some sort of other access through the library?

Is there a solution for the images not appearing? Oona Wikiwalker (talk) 02:45, 20 January 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Sounds like phab:T357690? Nikkimaria (talk) 02:53, 20 January 2025 (UTC)[reply]

A version of the Library for those who don't meet requirements?

Hi, so I used to be eligible for this but since I havn't made 10+ edits in the last month, I can't use it. Is there a version that folks that don't met all the requirements can use, or good alternatives for the same ammount of resources? It seems a bit limiting to only allow active wikipedia editors access to these valuable resources. DNocterum (talk) 08:10, 20 January 2025 (UTC)[reply]

@DNocterum: Yes, it is limiting. Deliberately. The library exists for the purpose of improving Wikipedia, not just to provide general access. So if someone isn't active (and if ten edits a month is too much...!?), they aren't improving the encylopedia, and therefore don't need access to TWL.

Also, there's a contractual element: the owners of these resources make them available to us on condition that we restrict access, so making them more available would fly in the face of our legal commitments. Paging Samwalton9 (WMF). Serial (speculates here) 14:37, 24 January 2025 (UTC)[reply]

@DNocterum Serial has covered pretty much all there is to say - I'd only clarify that you don't need to wait 30 days to make those 10 edits, if you make 10 edits in a day, you can simply log out & back in to the library and you'll have access again :) Samwalton9 (WMF) (talk) 15:45, 4 February 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Can I have my library access back, please?

Hi I had my library access revoked because of a topic ban. I have adhered to the topic bad and subsequently received a death-threat from an employee of the subject that I was writing about which I have framed and put on the wall of my study. Anyways, I like like all things considered the library ban is unjust and counter intuitive. I may have temporarily lost the plot with that subject but I feel that overall my contributions are well researched and well thought out. Therefore, I would like to request that my library access be reinstated, please?𝔓^420°𝔓^Holla 11:35, 23 January 2025 (UTC)[reply]

@GDX420 I've added an exemption to your account so you should now be able to access the library. You may need to log out and back in for this to take effect. Samwalton9 (WMF) (talk) 15:48, 4 February 2025 (UTC)[reply]

It seems counterproductive to revoke library access for people who have a topic ban, as it would impede their ability to move constructively to other areas of interest. Coretheapple (talk) 17:17, 4 February 2025 (UTC)[reply]

To clarify: library access is based on blocks, not bans (presumably because that's what the WMF can automatically check). GDX420 is currently subject to a partial block from RNIB, which they are appealing. If instead they were TBANNED they would be able to use TWL without any technical issues. (I feel like there's been a discussion about whether PBLOCKs should prevent TWL access somewhere before but I can't find it in the talkpage archives either here or on meta...) Caeciliusinhorto (talk) 20:59, 4 February 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks, appreciate the clarification. Coretheapple (talk) 22:06, 4 February 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Template for notable books

Do we have, or would anyone like to have, a template for the talk page of articles to let editors know that we have access to the book/journal through TWL? I'm imagining something like this:

The Wikipedia Library provides access to The Wikipedia Library via Perlego. Last updated in 2025

I assume it would have to be manually added and updated (and of course it would only be useful when we already have an article about that book), but it might be useful to editors who are searching for sources. WhatamIdoing (talk) 21:17, 25 January 2025 (UTC)[reply]

I think it's a brilliant idea. 𝔓^420°𝔓^Holla 09:58, 11 February 2025 (UTC)[reply]

This already exists: Template:Wikipedia Library. WhatamIdoing (talk) 17:46, 26 February 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Problems accessing Cambridge works

Tracked in Phabricator
Task T387685

When logged into the Wikipedia Library, it still says I don't have access to some works on the Cambridge website. Some examples:

Is anyone else having the same problem? Kowal2701 (talk) 20:46, 2 March 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Also discussed at Wikipedia:Village pump (technical)#WP Library and problems with accessing Cambridge works, opened a phab report Kowal2701 (talk) 22:18, 2 March 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Newspapers.com and Newspaper Archive

I frequently need to use Newspapers.com and Newspaper Archive for sourcing, however I can no longer seem to log into the site via the link on the Wikipedia Library site. When I click on "Go to Site" for Newspapers.com on my Collections page, it does not automatically log me in. And it does not recognize my WP log in info. What am I doing wrong? I've used that site thru WP for years in the past. I have the same problem with Newspaper Archive, in that when I click on "Access Collection" I have the same problem. Please advise how I can continue to use these essential tools. Thank you in advance. Netherzone (talk) 16:39, 9 March 2025 (UTC)[reply]

I've had similar problems, but it started working again for me recently. See the accnouncement here: Wikipedia_talk:The_Wikipedia_Library/Archive_11#Newspapers.com_access_is_being_restored!. Regards, Goldsztajn (talk) 23:03, 9 March 2025 (UTC)[reply]

~~It still does not work for me, and it has been quite a while that it has not allowed me to access it without paying for an account.~~ OK! Thank you, I got it to work. Netherzone (talk) 17:56, 11 March 2025 (UTC)[reply]