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Copyright: A concern for all libraries

copyrightThe dictionary defines Copyright as the exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, and sell matter and form of a literary, musical or artistic work. The US Constitution provided that for limited times, authors and inventors have exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries.

Librarians in all types of libraries face copyright issues and problems daily. Copyright is not limited to just public or academic libraries, it affects all libraries and all individuals. In the past, the concerns were for regular printed materials—books and periodicals. The problems would usually center on how much could be photocopied and what would be allowed for personal use. But today, people are faced with a myriad of types of information in numerous formats—digital, hardcopy, online and more. The laws keep changing and evolving. New interpretations make it necessary for librarians to be alert to the copyright world. It is necessary for librarians to represent the public in this copyright dilemma and help users in all types of libraries stay within the law.

This section of WebJunction Illinois will continue to grow and present resources for all types of libraries on this very major issue of Copyright. The Key Resources you see below are for all kinds of libraries. The "Action Steps of Copyright Compliancy" should be reviewed by all libraries of every type and size, and ALA offers a continual update on Copyright as do a number of linked resources. Librarians are urged to be on the alert for changes in the laws and for copyright violations. Please use the "Comments" button below to ask questions or make comments regarding copyright.

For a lighthearted but informative look at copyright visit YouTube to view "A Fair(y) Use Tale"*

Question: Do you know the difference between copyright and trademark? Find out more in this article on Intellectual Property and the Librarian. Included in the article is a case study which features a step by step procedure for handling patron questions about obtaining a trademark or copyright.

*Reference from Shawnee Library System Newsletter

Type Title Status Posted By
pdf
 Copyright for Special Libraries: PowerPoint
PowerPoint developed by Dr. Rebecca Butler for the Rolling Prairie Library System presentation
User Portrait
Action Steps for Copyright Compliancy
Steps towards Copyright Compliancy
User Portrait
Bound by Law: Tales from the Public Domain
A graphic novel on the subject of copyright from the folks at the Duke Center for the Study of the Public Domain
User Portrait
pdf
 Copyright for Special Libraries: Handout
Originally developed for the Rolling Prairie Library System by Dr. Rebecca Butler, this document includes a sample flow chart to determine copyright permission, sample permission letter and related URLs. Dr. Butler is the Associate Professor Educational Technology, Research and Assessment at Northern Illinois University and is the advisor for School Library Media Certification/Endorsement.
User Portrait
pdf
 Copyright for School Libraries: Handout
Originally developed for the Rolling Prairie Library System by Dr. Rebecca Butler, this document includes a sample flow chart to determine copyright permission, sample permission letter and related URLs. Dr. Butler is the Associate Professor Educational Technology, Research and Assessment at Northern Illinois University and is the advisor for School Library Media Certification/Endorsement.
User Portrait
pdf
 Copyright for Public Libraries: PowerPoint
PowerPoint developed by Dr. Rebecca Butler for the Rolling Prairie Library System presentation
User Portrait
pdf
 Copyright for Public Libraries: Handout
Originally developed for the Rolling Prairie Library System by Dr. Rebecca Butler, this document includes a sample flow chart to determine copyright permission, sample permission letter and related URLs. Dr. Butler is the Associate Professor Educational Technology, Research and Assessment at Northern Illinois University and is the advisor for School Library Media Certification/Endorsement.
User Portrait
pdf
 Copyright for Academic Libraries: PowerPoint
PowerPoint developed by Dr. Rebecca Butler for the Rolling Prairie Library System presentation.
User Portrait
pdf
 Copyright for Academic Libraries: Handout
Originally developed for the Rolling Prairie Library System by Dr. Rebecca Butler, this document includes a sample flow chart to determine copyright permission, sample permission letter and related URLs. Dr. Butler is the Associate Professor Educational Technology, Research and Assessment at Northern Illinois University and is the advisor for School Library Media Certification/Endorsement.
User Portrait
pdf
 Copyright for School Libraries: PowerPoint
PowerPoint developed by Dr. Rebecca Butler for the Rolling Prairie Library System presentation
User Portrait
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Additional Resources

  • Copyright and Interlibrary Loan

    Read about copyright concerns as they relate to Interlibrary loan.

  • ALA Copyright Resources

    Copyright in a Digital Age, copyright issues topic index, and copyright news all from the American Library Association.

  • Copyright Resources from ISLMA

    Resources from the Illinois School Media Association on copyright in the classroom

  • Copyright with Cyberbee

    Great copyright site for K-12 including the 10 big myths about copyright, and interactive copyright questions and answers.

  • Copyright in a Digital Age

    In this article from Electronic-School.com author Gary Becker discusses the issues surrounding copyright and music, multimedia and the internet.

  • Copyright for Teachers and Librarians

    A no-nonsense guide to copyright law by Rebecca Butler. The principle of fair use defined and explained, the procedures one should follow when asking permission, the specific applications of copyright law, particulars with regard to copyright law and CDs, DVDs, videos, or television, and much more, including a sharp focus on how copyright law relates directly to the needs of teachers and librarians, all make Copyright For Teachers And Librarians a hands-on practical resource

  • Copyright with Rebecca Butler

    Link to resources associated with presentations made by Dr. Rebecca Butler on Copyright for all kinds of libraries. You can link to the OPAL archives here and listen to the original presentations. These presentations were originally developed for the Rolling Prairie Library System.