Libraries who contact publishers for electronic permissions should be a specific as possible about the intended use and the controls that will manage use. A library that wants to mount articles on a server might confirm that access will be limited to authorised library users and password protected. Document Delivery UK Copyright law has provisions under Library Privilege which allow libraries to make single photocopies for users for research and private study, as long as the formalities are followed. Individuals are also allowed by the Fair Dealing provisions to make copies of limited parts of works for research and private study. These provisions do not extend to making systematic copies or multiple copies.
Publishers acknowledge that responsible libraries engage in interlibrary loan.
Any library that wants to set up a document delivery service, for example to create a new income stream, should ask permission of the relevant publishers. As noted above, publishers have different policies, but they are likely to agree if the library pays their standard copyright fee per article. Electronic Licences From the above, it is clear that permission is required for many electronic activities. In the short term, the solution is electronic licensing. Electronic products come with a licence agreement that indicates the terms and conditions of use.