RE: Query Re Library Responsibility for Library Patrons' Use

["Rick Anderson" <rickand@unr.edu>]

> Have any of you encountered this statement or a similar one? 
> How did you handle it? Thanks for your help.

I've encountered it several times, and it's always been a walking 
point for us -- there's no way we would agree to license terms 
that hold the library institutionally responsible for end-user 
behavior.  The library will accept responsibility for what it's 
capable of doing: informing end-users about the terms, doing what 
it can to prevent a breach of license terms, and acting quickly 
to cure a breach if it occurs.  But to accept institutional 
responsibility for what patrons do would be insanity.

In my experience, it's very rare that a publisher fails to see 
reason on this issue when it's clearly (and firmly) explained. 
In ten years of license negotiation, I think I've walked away 
from one deal over this issue.

---
Rick Anderson
Dir. of Resource Acquisition
University of Nevada, Reno Libraries
rickand@unr.edu