Conditions of Use and Licensing Restrictions for Electronic Resources

The Lewis Clark State Library subscribes to hundreds of electronic journals, books, and other databases for use by authorized users (currently enrolled students, LC State faculty and staff, and on-site visitors). 

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions for using electronic resources are set out in e-resource license agreements with each publisher. It is the responsibility of individual users to contact the library if they are unsure if their use of e-resources may not comply with the terms and conditions specified in the license agreements.

Licenses vary from publisher to publisher; however, the general principles are:

Permitted

  • viewing, downloading, copying, printing, and saving a copy of search results
  • viewing, downloading, copying, printing, and saving individual articles
  • using e-resources for scholarly, educational, or scientific research, teaching, private study, and clinical purposes
  • sending a copy of an article to another authorized user (i.e., current faculty, students, or staff)
  • posting the URL to the publisher's version of the article on a class website (publisher links will allow only authorized users access)
  • modifying the resource format in compliance with accessibility laws

Not Permitted

  • systematic downloading or printing of entire journal issues or volumes or large portions of other e-resources is not permitted
  • using e-resources for commercial gain is not permitted (i.e., reselling, redistributing, or republishing licensed content)
  • transmitting, disseminating, or otherwise making online content available to unauthorized users (e.g., sending to mailing lists or electronic bulletin boards) is not permitted
  • posting the publisher's version or PDF of an article to an open classroom website is not permitted (instead, post the URL to the article which will allow only authorized users access)
  • removing, obscuring, or modifying any copyright or other notices included in the materials
  • sharing passwords/log-in information with unauthorized users

Breaches of the LC State Library's contractual arrangements with publishers could result in the suspension of access to the resources for the entire LC State community.

More information

If you have questions about the conditions and terms of a particular electronic resource, please contact the LC State Library.

-Adapted with permission from the University of Idaho Library