PDF Version University Libraries' Copyright Standards
Course Reserves

General Information

The University Libraries supports instruction with course reserves and other collection access services. The primary function of these services is to assure that students and teachers will have timely access to course-related library resources.

Materials may be copied and made available for course reserves when they are:

1. in the public domain; or
2. used with permission from the copyright holder; or
3. used under the provisions of a contract or license agreement, noting that agreements may differ from, and often take precedence over, what is allowed under copyright law; or
4. used under the provision of Fair Use, U.S. Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. Section 107, as outlined in the Classroom Guidelines or as determined using a case-by-case four-factor analysis.

The Libraries retains the right to refuse materials for reserve, or remove materials already on reserve, on the basis of law-related or administrative concerns.

The following standards will be applied when copying copyrighted works for course reserves under the provisions of Fair Use (Section 107). This includes, but is not limited to, musical works (scores, lyrics, recorded performances), spoken word audio or other audiovisual recordings. The Libraries' application of fair use is predicated on its General Principles of Fair Use in Education.

Instructor Responsibilities

• All materials submitted by instructors must support course-related teaching, scholarship, or research.
  
  
• Instructors submitting materials are responsible for evaluating, on a case-by-case basis, whether the use of a copyrighted work requires permission or qualifies as fair use. When permissions are needed, instructors or their departments are expected to make any required arrangements.
  
  
• Whenever copying original materials is involved, whether the copies are made by instructors or by the library, only the amount needed to accomplish the specific educational purpose should be copied. In consultation with library staff, instructors will determine any limits on the amount of material to be used.

User Responsibilities

• All materials placed on course reserves are to be used solely for non-commercial educational purposes in connection with designated courses.
  
  
• Copyrighted materials made available through course reserves may be copied for teaching, scholarly, or research purposes, and should not be reproduced for further distribution.

Library Responsibilities

• The Library will provide information resources and consultation to instructors to assist them in evaluating the qualifications of a specific use as fair use.
  
  
• Access to materials on course reserves will be limited to students currently enrolled and their instructors.
  
  
• Copies made will display a notice stating that the work may be protected by copyright and, when available, the notice of copyright that appears on the original work.
  
  
• Materials will be removed from course reserves when they are no longer required to support designated courses.

These standards were reviewed by the University of Minnesota's Office of the General Counsel and approved by the University Libraries' Leadership Council in February 2004.