Libraries have experienced radical changes during the past few decades, related to similar changes in the reading habits of the academic world. These changes are deeper in the periodicals sector than with regard to books. At first, the growth of online articles increased access to knowledge. However, skyrocketing costs threaten this process. The increasing expenditures are due to the multiplication of journals, increasing unit costs (particularly among for-profit journals), and the oligopoly of electronic providers and their business practices. Reed Elsevier is an example of this process. The author defends the politicization of this issue, involving the unity of developing countries and a united front with organizations in the central countries that stand for open access.