Libraries and licensing

Abstract

The way in which libraries purchase matériái is changing. Electronic documents are not owned by libraries, in the way in which physical books and cassettes are. Instead of buying ownership to the material, libraries will in many cases purchase access to electronic documents, such as those on the Web. This means that the conditions of access and use must be agreed upon. This is done in a licensing agreement. Licensing agreements are governed by contract law. This means that librari-ans must acquire somé understandíng of contracts and contract law, and must be able to negotiate contracts with publishers. One way in which libraries purchase electronic matériái e.g. from the Web, is to form consortía of libraries which work together to negotiate deals with publishers. This means that libraries must form consortia agreements with one another. Issues might include the cost of the licence fee and how payments are divided. It could be argued that extra finances needed to purchase licenses demonstrate how libraries need more resources to fulfil their tasks in the information society.

ttp://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla66/papers/041-126e.htm