NEW BOOK: THE LIBRARIAN'S COPYRIGHT COMPANION, 2ND EDITION

Recently a book I co-authored came out--The Librarian's Copyright Companion, 2nd Edition. It isn't numismatic, but the book does discuss many of the copyright issues that have popped up from time to time in The E-Sylum. The book was written for librarians, but its discussion of copyright rules would be applicable to many E-Sylum readers.

I think the primary value of the book is that it provides practical analysis and advice on copyright issues that affect all types of librarians. The authors are academic law librarians, but we were careful to write it for readers that may not have much familiarity with copyright when they start reading. The book also focuses on what copyright enables libraries to do instead of just what it prevents. Libraries have some copyright exemptions that don't apply to individuals, but patrons could use the book to know what their libraries can do for them. And the chapter on fair use can be used to help make fair use determinations for pretty much anyone.

The book is $49 (I think the publisher priced it assuming mostly libraries would buy it and circulate to its patrons). Interested readers could request it through inter-library loan or suggest their local libraries purchase a copy.

The Librarian’s Copyright Companion provides a framework that will help librarians analyze the impact of copyright law in their library. Much has changed (and much hasn’t) since the first edition came out in 2004. The transition from print to digital continues in periodical collections and academic reserves and repositories. This book is another voice of copyright, beginning with a different premise: copyright exists to promote the dissemination of information, and while creators have certain rights, so do users.

James S. Heller is Director of the Law Library, Professor of Law, and Professor of Public Policy at the College of William & Mary. He has a B.A. from the University of Michigan, a J.D. from the University of San Diego, and an M.L.S. from the University of California at Berkeley. He has served as President of the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) and of the Virginia and Southeastern chapters of AALL, and chaired AALL's Copyright Committee several times.

Paul Hellyer is a Reference Librarian at the College of William & Mary s Wolf Law Library. He has a B.A. and J.D. from UCLA and an M.L.I.S. from San Jose State University.

Benjamin J. Keele is a Reference Librarian at the College of William & Mary s Wolf Law Library. He has a B.A. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a J.D. and M.L.S. from Indiana University-Bloomington.

Paperback: 324 pages
Publisher: William S. Hein & Co., Inc.; 2 edition (November 2, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0837738725
ISBN-13: 978-0837738727
Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches

NEW BOOK: THE LIBRARIAN'S COPYRIGHT COMPANION, 2ND EDITION

THE BOOK BAZARRE