Introduction

Welcome to this week’s English Club topic. Today we explore Z-Library, one of the world’s largest shadow libraries. It grew out of an earlier project called Library Genesis and began around 2009. Over time, it built a huge collection of over 10 million books and 80 million articles, all free to download in formats like PDF and EPUB. The site attracted students, teachers, and readers worldwide, especially those who could not afford costly textbooks or find rare works. However, because it shared copyrighted content without permission, Z-Library faced serious legal consequences. In late 2022, U.S. authorities seized its main domains and arrested two people linked to the site. Despite this, Z-Library soon returned through new domains, proving how difficult it is to shut down entirely.

Beyond the legal drama, Z-Library raises a hard question: should knowledge be free for everyone, or must we protect the rights of writers and publishers? Many argue that access to learning should not depend on a person’s wallet. Others remind us that authors and publishers need income to survive. This week, we invite you to share your own experiences and opinions, and to discuss this tension together. Let’s begin with the following questions.

Subquestions

1.      Have you ever visited Z-Library or a similar free digital library? If you feel comfortable sharing, what was your experience like?

2.      When you need a book for study or for fun, what do you usually do first: buy it, borrow it from a library, or look for it online? Describe your habits.

3.      How easy or difficult is it for you to find affordable books and academic resources where you live? Share a little about your local situation.

4.      In your opinion, what is the main reason people turn to websites like Z-Library — is it the cost, the convenience, the variety, or something else?

5.      Some people argue that educational materials should be free for everyone in order to reduce global inequality. Do you agree? Why or why not?

6.      Try to imagine the perspective of an author. If your own books were being shared on such sites without your consent, how would that make you feel?

7.      Is sharing an e-book file the same as lending a physical book to a friend, or are there important differences? Where would you personally draw the line?

8.      Looking ahead, what might a fair digital publishing system look like — one that welcomes readers with limited money while also respecting the work of writers and other creators?

Expression Bag: https://zh.purasbar.com/post.php?t=36843

1.      Have you ever visited Z-Library or a similar free digital library? If you feel comfortable sharing, what was your experience like?

Yes.

I think the experience was quite good. There are many books that I used only once and don't need to buy it for that reason. Besides some books are hard to buy because the publication time is quite far from nowadays.Z-Library offers me a convenient way to access to these books.

2.      When you need a book for study or for fun, what do you usually do first: buy it, borrow it from a library, or look for it online? Describe your habits.

I tend to look it online, because books are so heavy and big that it's not easy to take, especially when I have to move house.

3.      How easy or difficult is it for you to find affordable books and academic resources where you live? Share a little about your local situation.

It depends on the type of resources. For Chinese articles and essays, it's relatively easy because the university offers us CNKI database. But for foreign essays and books, it quite depends on electronic resources. However, it's quite hard to get one.

4.      In your opinion, what is the main reason people turn to websites like Z-Library — is it the cost, the convenience, the variety, or something else?

All reasons above.

1.      Have you ever visited Z-Library or a similar free digital library? If you feel comfortable sharing, what was your experience like?

Never. I seldom read books online partly because for the most of time I have no access to my smart phone.

2.      When you need a book for study or for fun, what do you usually do first: buy it, borrow it from a library, or look for it online? Describe your habits.

Buying it online.

5.      Some people argue that educational materials should be free for everyone in order to reduce global inequality. Do you agree? Why or why not?

It can be beneficial only if the authors' interest is fully considered and fulfilled. Perhaps the nations or international organisations pay authors and send their articles to the websites like Z-library.

6.      Try to imagine the perspective of an author. If your own books were being shared on such sites without your consent, how would that make you feel?

I would feel annoyed...But I wouldn't prosecute or ask them for putting it down.

8.      Looking ahead, what might a fair digital publishing system look like — one that welcomes readers with limited money while also respecting the work of writers and other creators?

As I said in Subquestion 5.

6.      Try to imagine the perspective of an author. If your own books were being shared on such sites without your consent, how would that make you feel?

I would think that's not my business. Rather, maybe I would feel a scene of schadenfreude. Becasue usually I cannot get more profits even if selling more books due to the contract.