@jillL @deborahh @RustyBertrand
In the old days authors would get a load of paper copies of the paper and would send them out to anyone who requested it.
Not sure what the practice is now as I haven't published for a while.

The benefit to the author is that it increases the possibility of their work being cited.

Absolutely do ask the author for a copy.

I occasionally get asked for copies of papers and am happy to send out if I have any copies of a particular one left.