Re: Library involvement in advising students about illegal file sharing.

[Betty Hamilton <bhamilt@xxxxxxx>]

Hello, Marsha and Group,

I am a retired school librarian. Although I retired before downloading 
music was particularly prevalent, I *did* caution students, and even 
teachers, about copyright laws where photocopying was involved. I had 
signs on our copier in the library, and copyright laws were a part of 
"library skills" lessons. I was not instructed to do that by school 
curricula; but as a *librarian,* I felt it my duty to include that kind 
of instruction. I'm sure other librarians take that same responsibility. 
Academic librarians may see their responsibilities differently.

My handbook of reference was Carol Mann Simpson's _Copyright for 
Schools: A Practical Guide, 2nd edition (Worthington, OH: Linworth 
Publishing, Inc., 1997). 

I imagine the laws have changed considerably since technology has also 
changed, but I did try to impress on students and teachers that not 
adhering to copyright laws was not only unethical, it was legally and 
economically dangerous.

--
Betty

Freelance writer/editor
Retired Librarian (MSLIS)
Former contributing editor to the "Profession," _Texas Library Journal_