All my local university libraries (including a few excellent ones) allow anyone to use the stacks for free. If you want to check something out or you want acce

All my local university libraries (including a few excellent ones) allow anyone to use the stacks for free. If you want to check something out or you want access to the computer databases you may have to pay to join the "Friends of the Library" or Alumni Association. Access to the databases is often restricted to students / staff though.