Copyright in the Library
Course
Policies and Documentation [3:42]
- Learn ways to explore the basics of a copyright policy.
- Learn what you should know about writing a copyright policy.
- Learn about several resources to continue to learn about copyright.
Most school districts have a copyright policy or regulation in place. The policy typically includes a point of contact, expectations for all types of materials, and training required for staff. Consider adding a section about digital copyright and fair use. It also might state that the user of the materials is responsible for following the copyright policy. It is important as the librarian to be familiar with what your school district's policy says. This is helpful when working with staff who have a question or concern about what is legal. For example, a teacher may have a question about whether she can include scanned pages from the textbook onto her online classroom page. Another teacher may want to know how many copies of a magazine article she can make for her students without asking permission. Your policy will be able to help guide these staff members and also give you or your principal needed justification in any decisions that need to be made for your school.
If your district does not have a copyright policy, consider working with other librarians and your school's administration team to draft one. Writing a copyright policy should not be something you tackle in your first year as librarian since it is a complex undertaking. Consult books written about copyright and search online for examples of copyright policies. The legal department and school board in your district should have the final approval before anything is implemented.
Fortunately, there is lots of information available both in print and online that will help you learn more about copyright. Consult resources such as the United States Copyright Office and the Library of Congress for more information and ideas for other topics to include in your policy. School Library Connection also offers several articles and columns about copyright in schools and school libraries. Also, ask your librarian colleagues for resources they use when they have a copyright question. These resources and more will help you familiarize yourself with the details of copyright and applicable laws.
Having a copyright policy, established either by your school district or created by you and others, helps everyone to know the expectations for following copyright and fair use laws in the classroom and library. Consult credible websites, organizations, and others in your district who may be more familiar with copyright to feel more comfortable in your knowledge. There's a lot to remember about copyright. We can't expect our staff and administration to remember all the details. That's our job as librarians.
According to Gretchen McCord, well-written policies and procedures can help reduce confusion and increase understanding and consistency as they give guidance to what is done in your institution. Related to copyright and fair use, policies can help clarify how fair use guidelines are to be interpreted at your institution.
Locate your institution's current policies and procedures regarding copyright and fair use. Using page 11 of the Course Packet (found in the Resources above), draft updated policies and procedures related to copyright and fair use for your institution. Be sure to consider how you will gain necessary approvals from administrators (and don't forget legal advice). Devise a plan for how you will share your updated policies with your school community.
MLA Citation
Editorial Team, SLC. "Copyright in the Library: Drafting a Policy." School Library Connection, October 2021, schoollibraryconnection.com/Content/Course/2264102?learningModuleId=2264095&topicCenterId=2247902.
Entry ID: 2269703
Additional Resources
About the Author
MLA Citation
Grover, Rachel. "Copyright in the Library. Policies and Documentation [3:42]." School Library Connection, ABC-CLIO, October 2021, schoollibraryconnection.com/Content/Course/2264102?learningModuleId=2264095&topicCenterId=2247902.
https://schoollibraryconnection.com/Content/Course/2264102?learningModuleId=2264095&topicCenterId=2247902
Entry ID: 2264102