Licensing Digital Content: A Practical Guide for Librarians

The revised edition of this popular one-stop resource covers the basics of digital licensing for librarians in a plain-language approach that demystifies the process. Written from the librarian's perspective, this second edition

Updates licensing terminology and changes in technology

Covers opportunities for cost savings

Includes further information on the global aspects of licensing

Explains how to educate organizations that have signed license agreements

Librarians play a unique role in license agreements and this book, which also includes a comprehensive checklist for a digital license, gives library professionals and students the tools needed to negotiate and organize license agreements.

Harris is a copyright, licensing, and e-commerce lawyer who writes here, in plain language, for benighted librarians who didn't quite find time to complete that law degree while in library school. She demystifies a complicated subject, covering how to negotiate a license, create a licensing policy, understand common misconceptions about license agreements, focus on key licensing concerns, and negotiate like a pro. This slim volume is user friendly and packed with information. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Library Journal

Harris, ex-senior copyright officer in Canada and author of Digital Property: Currency of the 21st Century (McGraw-Hill Professional, 1998), has taken a complex subject and written, in lay readers' terms, guidelines for the licensing of digital content. She includes chapters on items such as the step-by-step process of the licensing experience, tips on different clauses for the agreement, and negotiation. There is also a good question-and-answer section. The author is very knowledgeable about the subject and feels strongly that licensing is something librarians can do for themselves without hiring an attorney. If there are any negative aspects of the volume, it's the price, which seems a bit steep for a book that runs 137 pages. While global issues are supposed to be covered, the author's primary interest is U.S. and Canadian copyright law. Harris also includes an appendix of sections 107 and 108 of the U.S. those libraries that license digital materials. Robert Martindale, Patent Libn., Dallas P.L. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.