Z-Library, an electronic library and one of the largest free resources for scientific books and academic texts, has opened over 150 physical book distribution points in 42 countries worldwide, from Canada to South Sudan. The library aims to expand its activities and promote further access to literature.
In recent months, Z-Library has introduced numerous new features, including the option for users to exchange physical copies of books with each other. “The books you have read should not gather dust on your shelf; instead, they can have a second life in the hands of new readers! This helps preserve literary heritage and spread knowledge and ideas contained in books to a larger audience,” project representatives stated.
The first Z-Library physical libraries, or “Z-Points,” have already been established in 42 countries, including Australia, the United States, China, Russia, Brazil, Egypt, Colombia, Bolivia, South Africa, Slovakia, and many others, with plans for further expansion in the future. According to Z-Library, users will be able to send books by mail, which can then be borrowed by other project participants.
“This project has gone beyond our initial concept of simple book exchange and has evolved into a global library of physical books. Our ultimate goal is to unite readers worldwide and make literature accessible to everyone, regardless of location or financial constraints,” noted Z-Library.
During the initial stage, Z-Points will focus on building a collection of physical books. Users can send their works to the storage facility, covering the shipping costs, and Z-Points will handle their processing, including creating digital copies if allowed by law. The works will then be distributed to users in need and educational institutions. In the future, Z-Library also plans to add an interface where users can list the physical books they have available, facilitating direct exchanges without Z-Point’s intermediation.
Z-Library’s digital archive contains over 14 million books, making it one of the largest libraries on the internet.
