WebJunction

Description:

Copyright is a hot topic in libraries.

While the library and academic communities once felt that they had a good grasp on legal and ethical use of protected materials, recent changes in law and important court cases, as well as aggressive legal actions, have put librarians on edge.

Knowing what copyright entails and how to deal with the most basic copyright situations in a library can help a library avoid the more common copyright risks.

This tutorial doesn't purport to cover every possible copyright situation in a library. Given the limited time frame, we will only discuss basics. However, with this foundation you will be able to better understand what you read regarding copyright and make decisions that are based on solid baseline information, not rumor or possibly erroneous ""common knowledge.""

While copyright may not always be intuitive, it is current federal law. It isn't optional, and it isn't easy. Taking some time to read, discuss, and develop an understanding of the topic is essential to protecting yourself and your library from potential legal action. Best of luck on your first steps of this challenging, but interesting, journey.

Objectives

After completing this course, you will understand the following objectives:

• Identify the origin and history of copyright
• List and describe the six rights of a copyright holder
• Explain fair use laws
• Present several ways copyright affects public library service

NOTE: After you enroll, you will receive an additional email with special LE@D login information within 3 business days. If you do not receive the message, please email courses@webjunction.org. After completing the course, click the Launch button on your My Courses page and follow the instructions to record completion.