Using Library e-resources in online teaching

Licences, copyright and authentication

Electronic resources for which the Library pays subscriptions have licence agreements which are signed on behalf of the University. The licence agreements override copyright for these resources; if you wish to use these resources in teaching materials, you may need to find out what the licence allows. Unfortunately, the licences for different electronic products vary quite considerably, and so you can't assume that what is allowed for one is allowed for another. In general, the licences don't allow making multiple copies of articles for course packs, or storing copies on local servers for students to access, but in most cases they do allow web links to individual articles. This is also the practice recommended by the AVCC for making such licensed materials available to students.

Both the licence agreements and copyright requirements mean that the Library must ensure that users outside the Library walls authenticate themselves as University students or staff before they can access the licensed resource.

Further information about copyright for University of Adelaide staff is available on the University's web site.

Also remember that if your students are required to use links to e-resources outside the University's network, and need an increased Internet quota because of this, you can request that increase - see Request for Increase in Student Internet Quota.

What the Digital Resources Management Centre [DRMC] provides

All print copyright material that is to be made available for teaching purposes on MyUni must be requested through the Digital Resources Management Centre.

DRMC staff can check whether an item is already available in electronic form and if so, will provide a link to enable you and your students to access copyright materials online within 5 working days.

If the item is not available electronically DRMC staff can digitise print materials for you, within the copyright provisions.

The advantages of using this service are that DRMC staff will locate existing electronic resources and provide the link, so that we get the best value from electronic resources for which we're already paying. If a print item needs to be digitised, Library staff will ensure that the University complies with the copyright and statutory licence provisions. They will also make sure that the links supplied work from both on and off campus.

Full details are on the Digital Resources Management Centre page.

Where to go for further assistance

Should you need help with capturing or constructing URLs, making resources available from outside the University, help constructing appropriate searches - in fact, any further help or information on using Library e-resources in online teaching, contact your Research or Branch Librarian.