Copyright and Scholarly Communication

BY DONNA L. FERULLO

PILLAR: Robust Local Collections

In the last issue of INSIDE, Dean Mullins wrote about the importance of communicating and having a good communication system in place. This week I would like to address another aspect of communication, and one that has been identified as a goal in our next strategic plan, and that is scholarly communication. Copyright plays an important role in all three goals of the new draft strategic plan — Learning, Scholarly Communication and Global Challenge, but I want to take this opportunity to focus on the Scholarly Communication goal and the objectives stated under that goal.

Objective 1: Improve and increase access to and use of scholarly resources
Role of Copyright: Libraries are entering into an increasingly large number of license agreements in order to provide access to and use of scholarly resources such as databases, e-books and e-journals. It is important for those licenses to be copyright friendly so that our patrons can receive all the benefits provided to them under U.S. Copyright law.

For example, there is growing concern that publishers of e-books have begun to implement limits on the number of times a book can be accessed. Licenses will dictate those restrictions, but potentially some of the exceptions under copyright law might counteract such restrictions. Libraries are purchasing e-book readers to loan to patrons. However, there are questions as to the legality of such loans under copyright and terms of use agreements. Music and movies are now being streamed and with that are concerns over when and where streaming is legal and when and where it is not. Understanding copyright implications is critical in negotiating licenses for use of materials and technology.

Objective 2: Continue to build and identify collections unique to Purdue
Role of Copyright: There are two areas in particular that have unique Purdue collections: Archives and Special Collections (ASC) and e-Pubs, our institutional repository.

In ASC we own the physical object such as a diary, a letter or a photograph but we might not necessarily own the copyright to the work. Deeds of gift are usually signed by donors that may transfer the copyright in those works to Purdue and may also dictate how we can use the gift collection. It is important to have unambiguous copyright terms in the deed so that the donor’s intentions are clear. If there is no deed of gift then the Libraries must determine how best to steward the copyright in the works while providing the broadest access and use possible.

E-Pubs is a wonderful example of how we collaborate with faculty, departments and students to capture and preserve Purdue’s intellectual output. Addressing and resolving copyright issues in this initiative is an integral part of successful collaborations and populating the repository.

Objective 3: Lead in data-related scholarship and initiatives
Role of Copyright: Copyright eligibility for data is one of those grey areas. There is some data that is protected under copyright and there is some that is not. As data curation takes center stage at universities and is mandated by some government agencies as part of grants, determining the copyrightability of data becomes crucial.

Objective 4: Develop and promote new publishing models
Role of Copyright: The traditional model of authors transferring the copyright in their works to publishers and not retaining any rights to their works is still widespread. However, there are other publishing models such as ones that allow authors to retain the copyright but give the publisher the right of first publication. The Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) addendum is another option for publishers and authors. The copyright is still transferred to the publisher, but the addendum grants the author non-exclusive rights to their works for teaching and research purposes after a period of time, such as six months to a year. The Purdue University Press is quite proactive in evaluating all the different models and collaborating with different entities to ensure that copyright can benefit both the publisher and author. These are exciting times for developing and investigating new publishing models with various approaches to copyright.

These are only some examples of how copyright is a fundamental part of scholarly communication. Copyright issues seem to become more complex over time, so it’s important to think in new ways of applying the copyright law. Communication, dialogue and discussion with all the players, both internal and external, on copyright issues and applications are essential elements of successful implementation of scholarly communication initiatives.

PILLAR: Infrastructure

On April 11-12, the Purdue Libraries hosted 15 graduate students who are participants in the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce. This ARL program is designed to recruit master of library and information science (MLIS) students from traditionally underrepresented ethnic and racial minority groups into careers in research libraries. Through partnership with ARL, the Libraries continues to address this challenge: 2011 is the 7th year in which we have hosted this a two-day visit. The goal is to introduce the graduate students to the advanced operations of research libraries through activities designed to increase their awareness of issues facing the libraries of research universities and to increase their interest in working in these libraries. 

Activities in this year’s visit included sessions on e-science, digital initiatives, information literacy, IT and learning environments, liaison librarianship, promotion and tenure and scholarly communications. There were small-group sessions on special interests, including administration, archives and special collections, liaisonship in various disciplines and marketing, as well as a lunch with untenured Libraries faculty members, and another with cultural center directors and campus and community members. The group also met with Provost Tim Sands and Vice Provost for Diversity, Dr. Christine Taylor. Time for networking and socializing was provided, including a closing reception at the Black Cultural Center. New this year was a research poster session which gave participants an opportunity to talk one-on-one with Libraries faculty and staff about their research on a wide variety of topics.

The group was welcomed by Dean Jim Mullins and visit planning committee members Megan Sapp Nelson (chair), D. Waheedah Bilal (BCC Librarian), Nancy Hewison and Jane Yatcilla. Others from the Libraries who participated in making their visit a success included Beth McNeil, Maribeth Slebodnik, Michael Fosmire, Jeremy Garritano, Marianne Stowell Bracke, Mary Dugan, Sue Ward, Robert Freeman, Chris Miller, Catherine Fraser Riehle, Michael Witt, Mark Newton, Scott Brandt, Jake Carlson, Jan Addison, Paul Bracke, Carl Snow, Donna Ferullo, Charles Watkinson, Elizabeth Wilkinson, Kate Kester, Grant Flora, Hal Kirkwood, J.-P. Herubel, Amy Van Epps, Kristine Anderson and Judy Nixon, as well as Ruth Wertz from Engineering Education. Linda Foster provided operational support for the committee’s work and the visit, including hotel reservations and catering arrangements (with assistance from Pat Wilson).

2011 ARL Students: Left to right: Mark Puente, director of Diversity Programs, ARL, Abraham de Jesus, Yasmeen Shorish, Angel Durr, Marina Torres-Aiello, Mariaelena de la Rosa, Manuel de las Cruz-Gutierrez, Ashley Rayner, Bertha Chang, Hoan-Vu Do, LaNesha DeBardelaben, Mayu Ishida, Steven Chong, Soyeong Jeon and Qinqin Zhang.

PILLAR: Infrastructure

The 2011 Library Scholars Grant Program luncheon was graced with the presence and participation of Thomas S. Wilmeth (BS '35, Electrical Engineering 1935). Wilmeth's Class of 1935 started the Library Scholars Grant program as its 50th anniversary project.

"Most people don't realize what an asset a research library is — and I was one of them," Wilmeth joked. He said help he received doing research he conducted led to his company's ongoing success. “I’m here to show my appreciation,” he added.

At 96, Wilmeth is still actively involved at Scot Industries, the company he founded with his brother more than 61 years ago. The company just opened its 10th factory manufacturing honed, chrome and other corrosion-resistant tube and bar products.

A former member of the Libraries Development Advisory Board he recognized early on the needs of the library in the emerging digital era. His vision and generosity over the years were instrumental in the Libraries transition to computers, electronic information retrieval systems and databases. That generosity has continued, and Wilmeth’s cumulative giving to Purdue Libraries surpassed more than $2 million. He and his wife Benette made another generous unrestricted gift to the Libraries during their visit.

Libraries Seminar Committee hosts Janice Jaguszewski

PILLAR: Infrastructure

Janice Jaguszewski, director of Academic Programs, Physical Sciences and Engineering at the University of Minnesota, was welcomed as the Libraries Seminar Committee’s spring seminar speaker on Apr. 14, to discuss “Liaison Librarians and the Future: Where are We Headed and How Do We Get There?” Jaguszewski discussed a range of topics including the benefits of aligning vision and values of liaisons/staff. She also walked through initiatives and structure on her campus. You can view the seminar slidedeck on the Libraries wiki at the following location: http://intranet.lib.purdue.edu/download
/attachments/8716355/PurdueFinal2011.ppsx?
version=1&modificationDate=1303140644015

(The Libraries Seminar Committee is responsible for presenting programs of interest to the faculty and providing a forum for the exchange of views on issues pertinent to the libraries. Brown Bags are held the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 12-1 p.m. in the HSSE Conference Room and approximately four seminars are held throughout the year. Check out past and upcoming events: http://intranet.lib.purdue.edu/display/LFC/Libraries+Seminar+Committee).

New Staff

Carla Greene
Human Resources Assistant

I began my job in the Libraries in March of this year. I am here temporarily to help Julie Hillgrove with the various job searches the Libraries has set up for this spring and summer. This means I get to interact with the various candidates from the time they first express interest in a position through setting up interviews for them should they be selected. It also means I get the opportunity to work closely with Julie, Michelle Conwell and Linda Foster, all of whom have been helpful answering any questions I have and in making me feel welcomed.

I have lived in West Lafayette since December and although I have lived in six different states, this is my first time in the Midwest. I love spicy food and traveling. Any place I visit I try to dine at their local eateries, visit their historic locations and old cemeteries.  I have a boyfriend, Jacob, and a dog, Blue.

This is my first job in Human Resources and I look forward to learning as much as I can during my short stay here.  My work space is located next to Linda Foster (across from the Human Resources Office) in the Libraries Administrative Office, STEW 271. I can be reached at 496-1127 and my email is green113@purdue.edu.

Copper, bronze, malachite, and antler—these are just a few of the materials you can see in a display of historic axes in the Humanities, Social Science and Education Library (HSSE). The axes were donated to the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources by Purdue alum Charles A. Heavrin, whose book, The Axe and Man, accompanies the display. Heavrin desired that the axes be used for display and educational purposes; hence, at the request of Professor Swihart from the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources they are currently residing in a case in front of the HSSE iDesk. Pat Whalen created the eye-catching display and the accompanying tags indicating the type of each axe and the time period it was used. Though all of the specimens can’t be dated precisely, some were found in sites dating from as early as 300,000 B.C. Many of the patrons in HSSE have stopped to view the educational display, and I encourage you to stop by and see it for yourself.

Photo by Patrick Whalen