What the Libraries Can Do...

Although licensed library resources are not open educational resources, they are materials that can be linked and used in your courses. The library has over a million online books,films and articles that can be linked in your courses. We can also purchase materials in certain genres and on certain platforms for use in your course.

Your Subject Specialist Librarian is your guide to finding licensed resources for your courses.

The WSU Libraries can:

Determine the availability of and purchase ebook versions of monographs on our licensed ebook platforms.

Purchase 1 year or 3 year licenses to films available through our Kanopy, Swank Digital Campus, New Day Films, Films on Demand or Film Platform, or investigate independent streaming options.

Make digital copies of chapters from print books in the library's collections in accordance with Fair Use Guidelines for use in Canvas course sites.  Chapters can be requested through Interlibrary Loan. 

The library has an amazing array of online licensed resources, in addition to books and journals. Here are some examples of some of them:

Your Subject Specialist Librarian can help you discover an array of materials for your course.

Why can't the library make my textbook available online?

Textbooks* are books published specifically for use in courses. They usually have the following content and design elements:

• Cover generally accepted concepts
• Provide for logical development of the material
• Topics are presented in major parts, chapters, sections, and subsections that are organized in a way that facilitates understanding
• Contain examples and problem assignments

Many textbooks are published by recognized textbook publishers, such as MacMillan, Pearson, McGraw Hill, Cengage, WW Norton. These publishers release their e-textbooks on proprietary platforms. Access to the platforms is restricted to a single user and limited to a certain number of registered devices (usually 2-4). The Digital Copyright Management on these platforms makes it impossible for the library to purchase a version that can be accessed by multiple users. Additionally, the user licensing agreements generally forbid this type of use.

*Textbook definition adapted from: https://open.bccampus.ca/2014/06/10/the-5-rules-of-textbook-development/

Why can't the library convert DVD's?

No matter who owns the physical DVD or VHS recording, there is no fair use argument for breaking the digital copyrights management (DCM) on media conversion from a fixed medium (like a DVD) to digital for streaming. This type of activity is covered under the Digital Copyright Millenium Act (DCMA) which only provides for screen capture of reasonable portions of a film to be used for critique or analysis in a class. The university libraries are not permitted to perform DVD/VHS to digital conversion, as such activity would violate the WSU Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources policy.

In accordance with the Exemption to Prohibition on Circumvention of Copyright Protection Systems for Access Control Technologies, A Rule by the Copyright Office, Library of Congress on 10/26/2018 (Final Rule) and in alignment with the provisions of the TEACH Act, you may:

• Use screen capture software to capture clips (short portions) into new works for criticism or comment. (best practice suggests 20% or less of total film running time)
• Post this screen capture using a streaming system that would prevent downloading and distribution of the file. 

Please consult C&IT's instructions for capture and streaming using ECHO 360 and how to make your ECHO360 recording available in your Canvas course site.