How do I get my hands on an academic paper without registering and shelling out?

[EvilRingahBitch]

I want to read a paper in a legitimate but fairly obscure academic journal, but I’m not currently studying anywhere. Can I go to a physical library somewhere? How would I find out what institutions subscribe to a given journal?

Either look on researchgate to see if any of the authors have uploaded it or email the author. They don't get paid for publications in journals so it's not like they lose out by giving it away.

Give me the title I will see if I can find a legit copy for you. There's an illegal Russian website that gets most of them, too, but I don't know the name & probably fills your poota with malware so not recommended.

Is the article available online through jstor? If there is a university local to you, you may be able to get a day pass and use their computers, as a local resident. Look on their website.

Or if you know anyone who is a current university student, s/he may be able to log on and d/load it for you.

I would email the author if you can remember who it is. They may be very flattered and interested to know why you are wanting to read it.

I needed to get some legal articles and had real problems. eg my local-ish university with a Law Centre that everyone had told me would help suddenly decided they couldnt help a non-student etc.

What is it? My uni has access to loads of stuff and I'm happy to have a look for you.

You can search the British Library catalogue at explore.bl.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?vid=BLVU
and could try www.bl.uk/on-demand?_ga=2.70212368.1092774396.1535643607-368682737.1480167632 if you can't get there?

Thanks all - I’ll try several of the above, and may pm people who’ve kindly offered to help if I have no luck on first attempt. Emailing the author would never have occurred to me.

If it is available online, you can PM me too and I can have a look and see if I can download it for you.