Complete Copyright for K12 Librarians and Educators

Book excerpt: Particularly in places of learning, technology is all-pervasive; because everyone is always making copies, copyright is center stage. And copyright law, when misapplied or misinterpreted, affects not only the way that you teach but even what you teach. With decades of experience interpreting the intricacies of copyright law as it pertains to librarianship, Russell is the ideal authority to address the concerns of librarians, teachers, and teaching librarians who work in the K–12 environment. Her book will encourage you to stop allowing your fear of copyright issues to limit how and what you share or teach, and instead be more involved in shaping copyright law to better serve your learning community. Through scenario-based discussions, it covers key topics such as the reasons librarians and teachers have so many misconceptions about copyright, and why understanding copyright is a process, not a one-time event; recent legislative and policy developments that impact schools and libraries; situations often encountered by educators, such as using copyrighted material in class assignments, digital lesson plans, bulletin board displays, social media, school plays, and band performances and talent shows; the use of licensed content in a variety of settings; what constitutes "fair use," so that you can be empowered by knowing exactly what's possible within the law; and guidance on making long-term strategic decisions and developing copyright policies.