As of June 2, 2011, all PDF versions of books published by the National Academies Press (NAP) will be downloadable free of charge to anyone. This includes current catalog of more than 4,000 books plus future reports published by NAP.*
Free access to online content supports the mission of NAP—publisher for the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council–to improve government decision making and public policy, increase public education and understanding, and promote the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge in matters involving science, engineering, technology, and health.
In 1994, NAP began offering free content online. Before today’s
announcement, all PDFs were free to download in developing countries,
and 65 percent of them were available for free to any user.
Like no other organization, the National Academies can enlist the
nation’s foremost scientists, engineers, health professionals, and other
experts to address the scientific and technical aspects of society’s
most pressing problems through the authoritative and independent reports
published by NAP.
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