Digital Library Platform and Features
As ACM transitions to a fully Open Access model on January 1, 2026, the ACM Digital Library will introduce Basic and Premium access options to balance ACM’s mission of accessibility with the need to sustain publishing activities.
Premium Access – A Complete Research Experience
Premium access provides institutions and researchers with unrestricted access to ACM’s full suite of research tools and features, supporting advanced discovery, collaboration, and workflow efficiency. This enhanced version of the Digital Library ensures seamless access to computing research, deeper insights into research impact, and a streamlined experience for users.
Basic Access – A Limited Public Access Option
Basic access provides introductory access to ACM content, ensuring continued Open Access availability of research while offering a more restricted set of features and research tools. Without Premium Access, institutions and researchers will have fewer tools for research discovery, management, and engagement.
Selecting Digital Library Basic? What is the impact?
Institutions and researchers who only have Basic access to the ACM Digital Library will miss out on critical features and tools that enhance research discovery, engagement, and workflow efficiency.
Key Limitations of Digital Library Basic
- No access to the ACM Guide to Computing Literature
- No advanced search or AI-assisted discovery
- No citation tracking, usage insights, or Altmetric data
- No institutional recognition on published research
- No saved searches, alerts, or bulk downloads
- No recommendations for related content, or ability to comment on articles
Without Premium access, institutions and researchers lose valuable research insights, efficiency-boosting tools, and seamless access to computing literature—making research slower, less connected, and harder to track.
Ensure your institution has the full power of ACM’s research at its fingertips. Choose Premium access to maximize research impact, efficiency, and discovery.
Free Trial
30 day trials are available for institutions interested in evaluating the ACM DL. Apply Here

ACM Books
ACM Books is a new series of scholarly research monographs and graduate-level texts, authored by computer scientists and practitioners at the forefront of computing technology.
