Penn State University Libraries - Course Reserve Guidelines

To ensure that all Penn State Libraries course reserve services at all locations are abiding by the United States Copyright Act, the following guidelines were created.

• All items placed on traditional or electronic reserves must contain a notice of copyright. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act requires that you reproduce the original copyright notice from the work being placed on reserve. If this is not possible, than a legend indicating that the work may be protected by copyright should be attached to the copy, as well as a complete citation stating where the work originated

• Only one copy of an item will be placed on reserve for every 25 students enrolled in the course.

Items that can be placed on traditional reserves without gaining permission are:

1. The initial placement of a single article from a journal issue in support of one course.

2. A book owned by Penn State University Libraries or by the faculty member. If the libraries do not own the title, we will attempt to purchase it for the collection.

3. The initial placement of a short story, essay or poem or less than 15% of an entire book.

4. Any item that is in the public domain

Items that can be placed on electronic reserves without gaining permission are:

1. The initial placement of a single article from a journal issue in support of one course that must be digitized by the libraries.

2. When technically and contractually possible, any article that the libraries subscribes to electronically (articles found in ProQuest, J-Store or other full text electronic journal subscription.)

3. The initial placement of a chapter of a book, a short story, essay, poem or less than 15% of an entire book.

4. Any item that is in the public domain.

Items that require copyright permission for traditional reserves include:

1. An article placed on reserve for consecutive semesters by the same faculty member for the same course.

2. Multiple articles from the same journal issue placed on reserve for the same faculty member for the same course.

3. An article placed on reserve for multiple sections of the same course taught during the same semester by the same or different faculty members.

Items that require copyright permission for electronic reserves include:

1. An article placed on reserve for consecutive semesters by the same faculty member for the same course that is NOT available through an electronic journal or resource to which the libraries' subscribe (i.e. ProQuest, J-Store, Project MUSE, etc.)

2. A book chapter or up to 15% of a book that was digitized for e-reserve use and is required for consecutive semesters by the same faculty member for the same course.

3. An out-of-print book not owned by the Penn State University Libraries.