The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) has published the final version of Research Library Issues (RLI) no. 279, which is devoted to legal concerns and evolving professional practices around digitising special collections and archival materials. A pre-publication version of this issue was released in June. The final version of issue 279 uses the streamlined layout that debuted with issue 278.
This issue of RLI provides an overview of the legal and contractual issues involved in digitising special collections and archives. The issue also includes a model digitisation contract for use with outside vendors, as well as model 'deeds of gift' that can secure permission from rights holders to make donated material accessible on the web.
Additionally, the issue presents a critical essay by Kevin L. Smith, Director of Scholarly Communications at Duke University, on a new way of thinking about copyright and risk management in digitising special collections.
Research Library Issues no. 279 (June 2012) is freely available from ARL Digital Publications.
