University Libraries - Electronic Resources Usage Guidelines

Finding Articles>Electronic Resources Usage Guidelines

The University of New Mexico Libraries contracts with a variety of vendors and publishers to provide users with thousands of electronic resources (databases, abstracts, e-journals, full text, etc.) costing millions of dollars per year.

In addition to paying for these resources, the Libraries typically negotiates license agreements that stipulate how and by whom they may be used. If license terms are violated by anyone, licensors usually have the right to temporarily suspend access FOR THE ENTIRE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY! In some cases, licenses can be permanently revoked.

See UNM's Research & Technology Law Copyright Information page for information about UNM copyright policies.

You can help prevent problems with our electronic resource providers by adhering to "good practice" and avoiding improper use. Here are some good rules of thumb:

DO'S AND DON'TS

USUALLY OK	USUALLY NOT OK
making limited print or electronic copies (such as single articles)	systematic or substantial printing, copying or downloading (such as entire journal issues or books)

using for personal, instructional or research needs	selling or re-distributing content, or providing it to an employer

sharing with UNM faculty, staff and students	sharing with people other than UNM faculty, staff and students

posting links to specific content	posting actual content or articles to web sites or listservs
	modifying, altering, or creating derivative works

Always acknowledge your source on any published or unpublished document when you use data found on electronic resources.

GREY AREAS: Some resources allow inclusion for electronic reserves, course packs, and multiple copies for classroom use and interlibrary lending. Others explicitly forbid one or more of these activities.

If you have questions about a particular resource, please send us email.

For more information, see "UNM's Computer Use Guidelines," and " Acceptable Computer Use Policy at The University of New Mexico" and the University of Washington's "Copyright Information for Educators."