(started Dec 22/03, copied with permission from UWashington & modified. Additional comments in blue along with the initials of the suggestor)

Electronic Resources Usage Guidelines

The TUG Libraries contract with a variety of vendors and publishers to provide users with thousands of electronic resources (databases, abstracts, e-journals, full text, etc.) costing millions of dollars per year.

In addition to paying for these resources, the Libraries typically negotiate license agreements that stipulate how and by whom they may be used. If license terms are violated by anyone, licensors usually have the right to temporarily suspend access FOR THE ENTIRE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY! In some cases, licenses can be permanently revoked. In cases where a resolution cannot be reached the vendor may have the right to permanently revoke a license AND access to the resource. (SG)

You can help prevent problems with our electronic resource providers by adhering to "good practice" and avoiding improper use. Here are some good rules of thumb:

DO'S AND DON'TS
   
USUALLY OK
USUALLY NOT OK

making limited print or electronic copies (such as single articles)
making a limited number of print or electronic copies for your personal use (SG)

systematic or substantial printing, copying or downloading (such as entire journal issues or books).
   
using materials (SG) for personal, instructional or research needs

selling or re-distributing content, or providing it to an employer. or providing access to someone outside the university community, such as an employer. (SG) Ask a librarian about how to go about subscribing. (DM)
   
sharing with UW faculty, staff and students

sharing with people other than UW faculty, staff and students
   
posting links to specific content

posting actual content or articles to web sites or listservs
 

modifying, altering, or creating derivative works

Always acknowledge your source on any published or unpublished document when you use data found on electronic resources.

GREY AREAS: Some resources allow inclusion Some licenses agreements make express allowances (SG) for electronic reserves, course packs, and multiple copies for classroom use and interlibrary lending. Others explicitly forbid one or more of these activities. Other licenses may not allow one or more of these activities.(SG)

If you have questions about a particular resource, please contact us at:
University of Guelph Library's Reserve Desk
ext. 53621
or by email to libres2@uoguelph.ca
University of Waterloo
who?,
Wilfrid Laurier University
who?,

For more information, see the following university policy statements:
University of Guelph
Copyright Information,
Campus Acceptable Use Policy and Guidelines,
University of Waterloo
copyright information,
Statement on Use of UW Computing and Network Resources,
Use of Proprietary Computer Software
Wilfrid Laurier University
,

Journal Indexes

TUGWEB Article Index Coordinating Group

June 21, 2004