This article argues against policies that require students to submit theses and dissertations to electronic institutional repositories. The article counters a variety of arguments often used to justify this practice. In addition, the article reports on the results of an examination of electronic thesis and dissertation policies at more than 150…

This study aims to develop a systematic patent training program using patent analysis and citation analysis techniques applied to patents held by the University of Saskatchewan. The results indicate that the target audience will be researchers in life sciences, and aggregated patent database searching and advanced search techniques should be…

While librarians are concerned about copyright and intellectual property, the extent of their compliance with ethical guidelines and copyright laws is unclear. This study examines, through content analysis, libraries' approaches toward copyright concerns in three countries (Israel, Russia, and the United States), and suggests a model of library…

Discusses the World Intellectual Property Organization's proposed Treaty on Intellectual Property in Respect of Databases and suggests that because it disagrees with United States copyright law and the First Amendment, it should be rejected. Topics include public interests and individual property rights; journalists' reporting; and the fair use…

Discusses issues connected with the information superhighway and the National Information Infrastructure (NII). Topics addressed include principles for government action; economic benefits; regulations; applications; information policy; pending federal legislation; private sector/government relationship; open access and universal service; privacy…

Examines two multilateral approaches that aim to raise the level of intellectual property protection for databases. Discusses how both proposals, the European Union (EU) new Database Directive and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaty fail to provide ample copyright exemption provisions, necessary for offsetting the expanded…

Provides an overview of information policy, including its importance, its key instruments, and its complexity. Information policy issues that may create new roles for libraries include the ramifications of the public's right to information, the organization and retrieval of electronically networked information, information literacy training,…

Examines what will become of the existing concept of "fair use" in the emerging digital environment known as the "information superhighway." Discusses the perspectives of various constituencies within higher education--some producers of intellectual property, some consumers, and some that are both. Includes the agreement on…

Discussion of the growth of online courses in higher education and outsourcing for online course development focuses on the work of VCampus, an application service provider that develops online instruction for corporations and academic institutions. Discusses partnering arrangements; merging goals; intellectual property rights; marketing plans;…

Considers selected policy instruments related to federal agencies' deployment of information in a Web environment in terms of five key policy areas: access, security, privacy, intellectual property, and records management. Suggests that there are a significant number of policy instruments affecting federal Web site development. Identifies the need…

Provides an overview of the basic components of a digital library. Highlights include library collections; metadata; services, including information seeking and retrieval, reference query fulfillment, and user training; user interaction with digital libraries, including searching, browsing, and navigation; economic support; maintenance;…