The Library's copyright policy states that the Library can only claim "fair use" for educational purposes for one semester. If a course reading is used again by the same instructor for the same course, the Library will then contact the rightsholder and ask for permission to use the item in an electronic reserve system. Therefore, what may have been okay one semester, may be denied the next.

However, the Library is committed to making as many readings available electronically as possible. We are working on other avenues for securing permission, we can work with an instructor to identify other readings or other means of making an item available. Contact the Reserve Processing Supervisor for a consultation, if you are concerned about the number of permission denied responses you are receiving.

Educational use is only one of the four factors that is considered under "fair use" principles. Other factors include a) nature of the copyrighted work (fiction vs. fact), b) the amount reproduced and c) the effect on market value. One has to consider all four factors when determining whether any use, even educational, is "fair use."

The Library claims "fair use" for use of materials on e-reserves whenever possible and pays royalties and permission fees as funding permits. Determining whether a use on e-reserves is "fair use" is at the discretion of the Library. E-Reserves works best for a small number of short readings. A 'reading' is generally defined as a single book chapter or journal article. Coursepacks may be a viable option for some needs, especially for longer selections, a large number of readings, or repeated use of copyrighted material for the some course. Coursepack Publishing can help you create a coursepack for your course.

The Library is committed to providing course readings in a manner that respects fair use rights, the rights of copyright holders, and copyright law. This means that we can not leave course readings online indefinitely without seeking permission from the proper rightsholder (see the first question in this FAQ above). This means that a publisher may sometimes say no, or they may charge a fee for use. The Library absorbs all copyright fees for placing materials on reserve. Sometimes publishers charge more than the Library can absorb and we must then pass along a "permission denied" response to the instructor.

When a publisher says "no" to a particular request for e-reserves use, we will send you a notification via campus mail that alerts you to this fact. We will then remove the material from the E-Reserves website. The instructor has the option to pursue permission on their own, if they so choose. If the instructor can produce a written statement from the rightsholder that they have permission to use the article, we will keep it on file and make the reading available again.

There is no stock answer to this question, but the Reserve Processing Supervisor is available for consultation to go over your Reserve List with you to identify problem areas and offer possible solutions.

Yes, any materials that you submit to electronic reserves will automatically be available through the "Library/Reserves" button in your Blackboard site. Instructors can manually add readings to other sections in Blackboard, but the copyright considerations still apply, and the instructor is responsible for securing any necessary copyright permissions. CIT can help you set up your Blackboard site.

Yes. Submission guideline dates are:

Academic:
Fall semester: July 1
Spring semester: November 1
Summer sessions: April 1

Health Sciences Library:
Fall semester: July 1
Spring semester: November 1
Summer sessions: April 1