Libraries and Fair Use

Please note that this post is from 2009. Evaluate with care and in light of later events.

Simon Chester at Slaw.ca has an excellent article up about World Book and Copyright Day. Of particular importance, I think, is the point the fair use (an exception to the regular restrictions on use provided for under copyright law):

For libraries, and the people who use libraries, it is the exceptions and limitations to the legal protections granted to rightsholders that provide the basic mechanism for access to copyrighted content. “The role of librarians is to protect and promote access to knowledge and learning materials”, said Rilwanu Abdulsalami, Deputy University Librarian at Kaduna State University in Nigeria. “One of the key ways to achieve this is through well designed exceptions and limitations. Where the law is inadequate and needs to be changed, we will advocate for that change.”

I recommend you read the whole post.