An updated guide to licensing digital content

CHICAGO — Of the second edition of “Licensing Digital Content: A Practical Guide for Librarians,”  American Reference Books Annual declared, “Lesley Ellen Harris’s book has become the standard for libraries and has yet to have an equal published that is either as useful or as clear.” Covering the basics of digital licensing for librarians, the new third edition, published by ALA Editions, provides a freshened look at all the key issues as well as updated sample agreement clauses. Giving library professionals and students the understanding and the tools needed to negotiate and organize license agreements, Harris uses a plain-language approach that demystifies the process. Her guide:

• explains licensing terminology and discusses changes in technology, including developments such as text and data mining;
• points out opportunities for cost savings;
• features many useful tools such as a comprehensive digital license checklist;
• provides sources of additional information on the global aspects of licensing; and
• walks readers through educating organizations that have signed license agreements.

Harris has spent her entire career working in copyright law as an author, blogger, educator, lawyer and consultant on legal, business, policy, and strategic issues in the publishing, entertainment, Internet, and information industries. She often speaks at conferences, and teaches in-person and online courses on copyright and licensing in the United States, Canada, and globally. Her publications include the books “Digital Property: Currency of the 21st Century,” “Canadian Copyright Law,” and numerous articles. She is also the founder and CEO of Copyrightlaws.com, a company that promotes copyright literacy education and provides an opportunity for librarians and other nonlawyers around the world to become more aware and educated about copyright law and licensing digital content.

ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide. ALA Editions and ALA Neal-Schuman publishes resources used worldwide by tens of thousands of library and information professionals to improve programs, build on best practices, develop leadership, and for personal professional development. ALA authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a growing range of print and electronic formats. Contact ALA Editions at (800) 545-2433 ext. 5052 or editionsmarketing@ala.org.