PurposeThis review aims to provide a summary of the most recent articles published on document supply and related matters.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on the reading of over 150 journals as well as monographs, reports and web sites.FindingsAt the time of writing the cuts due to hit libraries have not yet taken place but reports and articles all indicate cuts of 5‐10 per cent – although that seems optimistic. Open Access continues to grow, with the US FRPAA receiving cross‐party support. If passed it will have a transformative effect on OA. Document supply as such gets plenty of coverage including the Espresso Book machine, and there is much debate on pay per view and in particular DeepDyve.Originality/valueThe paper is the only regular review of the document supply literature and related areas. It will be of particular value to document supply librarians.