Legal Solutions in Electronic Reserves and the Electronic Delivery of Interlibrary Loan (review)

Review

As library technology advances, the electronic placement and delivery of academic materials has helped attract patrons to academic libraries: if not physically, then in a virtual sense. Electronic reserves give students 24 hour/7 days a week access to course material that otherwise might be held behind a desk with limited borrowing time. Electronic delivery of interlibrary loan material gives patrons access to collections outside of the physical confines of their library. While these two services are very popular and benefit library patrons a great deal, they can wade in a sea of copyright and legal uncertainty. Croft's Legal Solutions in Electronic Reserves and the Electronic Delivery of Interlibrary Loan seeks to shine light on the ambiguous fog surrounding these two services, and give libraries a solid background and guidelines in how to address possible issues that may arise.

In only 84 pages and five chapters, Croft creates a handbook that should be in reserve services and interlibrary loan offices of every academic library. As the Head of Access Services at the University of Oklahoma Libraries, Croft writes from a librarian's perspective and avoids legalese. The first chapter about copyright basics includes nine helpful points for libraries. Confidentiality basics are handled in the very short (four pages) second chapter with focus only on the very broad fundamentals of the USA Patriot Act and records retention policies. The third and fourth chapters on electronic reserves and electronic delivery of interlibrary loan are the most detailed and will provide library staff with valuable information on the philosophical differences between the physical versus electronic placement and delivery of reserves and interlibrary loan. Each chapter has a section on developing a legal policy, notes on negotiating for copyright permissions and database contracts, and important legal cases.

In addition, three appendixes provide readers with a multitude of reference resources. Appendix 1 includes actual text of the U.S. Copyright Law, CONFU and CONTU guidelines, and ALA model policy on photocopying and library reserve use. Appendix 2 offers information on public domain and free E-material resources. Finally, appendix 3 recommends important electronic resources for library staff on copyright, reserves, and interlibrary loan, including a valuable list of Listservs and discussion groups.

Croft frames the electronic reserves and interlibrary loan delivery services in the important context they deserve with thoughtful language that is clear-cut and indispensable. While Croft avoids the deep theoretical issues with copyright and libraries, the book serves its readers through the practical issues it addresses. As a quick reference guide, this book is an asset to reserves or interlibrary loan departments for any situation that might arise.

Author's Bio

David is the library supervisor at the Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law Library on the University Park campus. In his final semester at the University of Pittsburgh, David will graduate with his M.L.I.S. with a focus on academic library reference services as well as copyright, electronic reserves, and the social sciences.

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