> As an aside, are there university libraries one can join directly for a fee?

There are. Some are more open than others, but it generally comes down to "give $$, get access".

Here's Stanford's page, for example: https://library.stanford.edu/about-stanford-libraries/visit-...:

One thing worth noting, these accesses do not always include access to electronic resources. Access may only be available from computers that are in the library.