Book: Licensing Digital Content

In libraries, collection development is vitally important and increasingly complicated.  As someone who is teaching a graduate course on the topic, I can tell you that there is much that should be covered in an introductory course and not enough time for it all. Among the topics is licensing.  Most people have not thought about licenses, even though they have agreed to many licenses in their online world. We generally do not actively seek to license something in our everyday life, so even beginning to think about the topic can raise anxiety levels.  It is into this space that books such as this provide both needed education and guidance.

In 2017, Lesley Ellen Harris, JD, published the third edition of Licensing Digital Content: A Practical Guide for Librarians.Quoting the publisher, ALA:

Giving library professionals and students the understanding and the tools needed to negotiate and organize license agreements, Harris uses a plain-language approach that demystifies the process. Her guide explains licensing terminology and discusses changes in technology, including developments such as text and data mining; points out opportunities for cost savings; features many useful tools such as a comprehensive digital license checklist; provides sources of additional information on the global aspects of licensing; and walks readers through educating organizations that have signed license agreements.

If you are responsible for licensing digital content, or will be in the future, resources like Licensing Digital Content: A Practical Guide for Librarians are ones that you consider reading and referring to.

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