University of Nebraska–Lincoln

UNL Libraries

Nebraska's Comprehensive Research Library

Electronic Resources

General Usage Guidelines

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries and Schmid Law Library contract with a variety of vendors and publishers to provide users with thousands of electronic resources costing over a million dollars per year.

In addition to paying for these resources, the Libraries typically negotiates license agreements that stipulate how and by whom they may be used. If license terms are violated by anyone, licensors usually have the right to temporarily suspend access FOR THE ENTIRE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY! In some cases, licenses can be permanently revoked.

The use of electronic resources is governed by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S. Code). Individuals using these products are liable for any infringement of the Copyright Law and are to use the products in accordance with the specific subscription/license agreements for each product.

You can help prevent problems with our electronic resource providers by adhering to "good practice" and avoiding improper use. Here are some good rules to follow:


DO'S AND DON'TS

USUALLY OK

making limited print or electronic copies (such as single articles)

using for personal, instructional or research needs

sharing with UNL faculty, staff and students

posting links to specific content

USUALLY NOT OK

systematic or substantial printing, copying or downloading (such as entire journal issues or books)

selling or re-distributing content, or providing it to an employer

sharing with people other than UNL faculty, staff and students

posting actual content or articles to web sites or listservs

modifying, altering, or creating derivative works

Always acknowledge your source on any published or unpublished document when you use data found on electronic resources.
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Citing and Evaluating Web Resources


GRAY AREAS: Some resources allow inclusion for electronic reserves, course packs, and multiple copies for classroom use and interlibrary lending. Others explicitly forbid one or more of these activities, for specific information see UNL License (return to previous page and click on UNL License).

Sharing with non-UNL users: This means peer-to-peer informal sharing for research, teaching and educational purposes. For example, if you are working with a colleague at another institution, and wish to make him/her aware of an article of mutual interest, you may send that article in print or electronically if this use is "allowed". Some publishers do not allow sharing with non-UNL users, and only allow this activity with other authorized users within the University of Nebraska-Lincoln community.

Blackboard: If "Blackboard is Allowed" is indicated, then material may be made available via Blackboard Course Management system. If "Blackboard is Not allowed" is indicated, then material may not be made available via Blackboard Course Management system.

Course Packs: Some electronic resources allow for limited portions, such as a single articles from a journal, to be reproduced and provided to students in a course pack. If "Course packs allowed" is indicated, then copyright clearance has already been granted for this use. In nearly all cases, course packs must be provided on a cost recovery basis only, and not sold for profit. If "Course packs not allowed" is indicated, then the material needs to have copyright cleared with the publisher before proceeding with inclusion in a course pack.

Course Reserves: Most electronic resources may be used for print or electronic reserves. If "Course Reserves Allowed" is indicated, then copyright clearance has already been granted. Reserves, both print and electronic need to be secured, and not made available on the open web.

VIOLATIONS OF USE MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF ACCESS FOR THE ENTIRE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY. FOR APPROPRIATE USE OF THIS RESOURCE SEE UNL LICENSE

For more information, see " Policy for Responsibles Use of University Computers and Information System ."


Information was copied with permission from University of Washington Libraries web site.