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Milner Library

Faculty FYI Guide to Milner Library

This guide addresses a broad array of Library services unique to your research and teaching needs.

Posting Content Online for Courses

Disclaimer: The following is not intended to serve as a complete reference for all aspects of this topic (including the TEACH Act), legal advice, or as the policy of Illinois State University (ISU) and/or Milner LIbrary. Further, the sources upon which these general guidelines are based are not to be construed as providing legal advice. Questions can be directed to: Copyright Question (Milner Library), Posting a Course Reserve (form) or Office of General Counsel

General Guidelines for Posting Course Content Online

In general and for all types of content (written, audio, video/DVD) the following criteria may be used to determine if items can be placed online for a course.

  • Illinois State University has
    • Purchased or licensed a commercially available copy of the work;
    • Ordered a commercially available copy of the work;
    • Made a good faith effort to purchase a commercially available copy of a work owned by an instructor.
  • The materials are required for the instruction of the course.
  • Online access will be limited through authentication to class participants and access is terminated as soon as the course has concluded.

Other Copyright Restrictions for Specific Content Types

Instructor-authored Materials

You may post your authored materials such as lecture notes, test, exercises, problem sets, and PowerPoint presentations.
For your authored, published work, you need to verify if you’ve transferred the copyright to the publisher. If you’ve transferred the copyright,

  • Obtain permission from the publisher to post the material
    For help obtaining permission or for specific questions: consult the Milner Library Course Reserves page or contact Jeff Ridinger, Head of Access & Delivery Services

ISU Licensed Electronic Collections

Electronic versions of articles, books, images, film, etc. may be linked using a persistent URL within electronic reserves and course web sites without getting further permission.

Materials without Copyright

Material not protected by the Copyright Act can be made available on electronic reserves or course web sites without the permission of the copyright owner. The following criteria designate works without copyright.

  • Material has entered the public domain because the copyright has expired.
    The rules for determining public domain status are complicated. Consult the Copyright Digital Slider for guidance.
  • U.S. Government publications which by statue are not protected by copyright.
  • Links to web sites. Anyone may freely reproduce the address of a web site, to which readers may “hyperlink.” Best practices suggest proper citation and notifying the web page provider.

Written Works

Written works (such as text works and musical scores) may be placed on electronic reserves or course web sites for use in connection with course instruction:

  • First time use does not require permission.
  • Second or subsequent term(s) use requires permission from the copyright holder.
  • Quantity limitations are not exceeded:
    • One (1) chapter or ten percent (10%) of a book.
    • One (1) article from a periodical or newspaper.
    • One (1) short story, short essay, or short poem.
    • One (1) chart, graph, diagram, cartoon or picture from a book, periodical, or newspaper.
    • Up to ten percent (10%) of a musical score.

That said, “No exact measure of allowable quantity exists in the law. Quantity is evaluated relative to the length of the entire work (total number of pages) and the amount of work necessary to fulfill the objective/purpose”. [University System of Georgia]

Audio Recordings

Audio recordings of musical works may be placed on electronic reserves or course web sites for use in connection with course instruction (not for entertainment purposes):

  • The number of entire works that may be digitized during an academic term should not exceed the maximum number of works typically required for the course—approximately thirty (30) hours.
  • Excerpts, not entire copies, will be used.
  • Online access will be limited through authentication to class participants and access is terminated as soon as the course has concluded.
  • Audio will be delivered in streaming format. Learn more about Canvas Studio.

Video / DVD / Film

Video / DVD / Film may be placed on course reserves or used in course instruction.

  • Will be viewed individually by students
  • The library DVDs and VHS tapes have Public Performance Rights (PPR)
  • ISU has purchased or licensed works from a commercial streaming service
  • Excerpts, not entire copies, will be used
  • Online access will be limited through authentication to class participants and access is terminated as soon as the course has concluded

Public Performance Rights (PPR)

Rights that legally allow a person to show a film in public without seeking permission from the copyright holder. Films in the library's collection that do not have PPR are limited to individual viewing and classroom use only. Situations where one must obtain PPR to show a film include but are not limited to public showings on or off campus, screenings at Registered Student Organization events, guest lectures, and film series. PPR are required even if the event is free.

Other Materials Not Already Mentioned

Material that does not fall within any of the above categories may still be used in electronic reserves or course web sites providing the use meets the requirements of:

Sources: U.S. Copyright Law, Dartmouth College, University System of Georgia, Reproduction of Copyrighted Works by Educators and Librarians

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