Pergamon Library Acquisitions: Practice & Theory, Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 5-6, 1997

Copyright © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd Printed in the USA. All rights reserved

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COPYRIGHT

COPYRIGHT: AN INTRODUCTION

PEGGY JOHNSON

Planning & Special Projects Officer, University of Minnesota Libraries, 499 Wilson Library, 309 19th Ave.,

South Minneapolis MN 55455 Internet: m-johnmaroon.tc.umn.edu

BONNIE MACEWAN

Collection Development Coordinator, Penn State University Libraries, Fred Lewis Pattee Library,

University Park PA 16802 Internet: bjmpsulias.psu.edu

Not too long ago, librarians left primary responsibility for compliance with copyright law and fair use of copyrighted material to interlibrary loan librarians. Those days are gone. In the digital environment, copyright becomes an issue of fundamental significance throughout the library. New interpretations of current copyright law, its perceived inadequacies, and its imminent revision are profoundly influencing all library operations and services. Copyright becomes a consideration at every point in the process of selecting, acquiring, using, delivering, sharing, storing, and preserving information. The functional lines that separated these library activities are blurring in an increas- ingly electronic library. Those who handle acquisition of information resources must understand how they will be used and by whom. Those who provide resources for circulation, in-library use, reserve services, or in support of distance education must understand the restrictions governing use and access. Rights, responsibilities, and liability become everyone's concern.

Copyright law is intended to sort out a balance between the intellectual property interests of authors, publishers, and copyright owners and society's needs for free exchange of ideas. Librarians have a central role in this arena and cannot be passive bystanders. This special section of I_APT brings together a group of thoughtful librarians, who give their perspectives on several compelling issues. The issue is introduced with a lively dialogue between two colleagues at Penn State, Gloriana St. Clair of the Libraries and editor of College & Research Libraries and Sandy Thatcher, Director of the University Press. They discuss the future of scholarly communication in the context of changes in copyright law, publishing technologies, and libraries. Trisha Davis, a serials librarian at Ohio State University, considers increasing use of contracts and licenses as an alternative to copyright law. Christopher Loring, a former head of access services at the University of Minnesota Libraries, looks at copyright and library reserve services with particular emphasis on implications for electronic reserves. Janis Bruwelheide, an educator, focuses on copyright and distance educa- tion, providing advice and suggesting resources for this complex and unclear area. Glen Secor, an

6 P. JOHNSON AND B. MACEWAN

attorney, concludes the issue with a look to the future and possible developments in how copyright and fair use may be monitored. All contributors to this section agree that profound changes are ahead for libraries and the communities they serve. They stress the critical importance of staying informed about legislative proposals, court interpretations, and changes in the law. While they may not agree on likely outcomes and best practices for libraries, they come together in stressing the proactive role that librarians must play in guiding and developing copyright law and its application to libraries.