Moving Wall
nounPronunciation: /ˈmuːvɪŋ wɔːl/
A publisher practice where the oldest issues of a journal become freely accessible after a specified delay period, while the most recent issues remain restricted to subscribers. This creates a rolling window of restricted content.
Plain English
A policy where older journal issues become free to access while recent ones stay behind a paywall.
Etymology & History
Usage
"The journal's moving wall extended five years, meaning articles older than 2019 were freely accessible to all users."
Style guide notes: Use 'moving wall' in lowercase unless in formal policy documents or at sentence beginning.
Also known as
Contrasted with
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a moving wall differ from an embargo?
Moving walls apply to entire journal archives, while embargoes restrict new articles for specified periods only.
What is a typical moving wall duration?
Moving walls commonly range from three to five years, varying by publisher and journal type.
Why Test Candidates on This?
Relevant for librarians negotiating publisher agreements and explaining access limitations to patrons.
Required skill level: Mid