Librarians and their institutional attorneys

[Ann Okerson <ann.okerson@yale.edu>]

Dear Readers:  Conversations about some future projects about 
legal issues give rise to this question:  what are some areas of 
library business where you find yourself professionally needing 
to consult your institution's legal staff?  I'd like to gather as 
complete a list as possible with a view to identifying some areas 
where collaboration could make things easier.

This list, liblicense-l, arose in part as a way of helping 
librarians do a better job of reviewing and negotiating contracts 
for licensed electronic resources -- and thus implicitly needing 
less advice and support from others in the university community. 
So what, currently, are the issues that send you to talk to the 
lawyers or get you a visit from the lawyers asking to know more 
of some project you're working on?  The list need not be limited 
to licensing; a short example or description of each item on your 
list would be welcome.

Thank you, Ann Okerson/Yale Library
ann.okerson@yale.edu