Copyright for Schools: A Practical Guide » (4th Edition)

This guide explains, in plain language, what K-12 teachers, librarians, and school administrators need to know about copyright. Coverage encompasses both print and digital information. This fourth edition examines new developments related to digital music and online learning. The author has been researching and writing about copyright law and schools for 18 years. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

School Library Journal

This resource, which has become the definitive guide for librarians, only gets better and better as Simpson dives into murky and ever-changing digital waters. She expands the scope of the previous edition (2001), particularly in aspects of law and technology. Following general chapters on copyright law, public domain, and fair use are chapters on specific types of materials and uses: print, audiovisual, multimedia, music, computer software, and distance learning. Each section presents typical activities that occur in a school setting, such as students adding clip-art to Powerpoint projects or a librarian bookmarking Web sites for the next day's class. The issues are discussed in terms of the rules and guidelines for use. Specific questions, such as, "I have a teacher who-" are answered in boxes throughout the book and hit the mark for most library-media dilemmas. Sample forms appear within chapters for off-air taping requests, permission requests, and more. An interesting chapter titled "The Software Police" sheds light on software piracy and measures being formed to prosecute violators, aided by provisions under the Digital Millennium simple language and an uncluttered format. A sample copyright policy, copyright and plagiarism guidelines for students, and a copyright infringement reporting form are among the topics that appear in the appendixes, followed by an extensive cross-referenced index. This exhaustive revision is a first purchase for school librarians.-Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.