Message-ID: <005101cad5c1$27bb2120$0401a8c0@Jensen> From: "Don Jensen" <dnjkenosha@wi.rr.com> Subject: Re: Scanning Documents Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2010 14:41:30 -0500
A common misconception, that we own INFORMATION. We own books, letters,
manuscripts, photos. We can own specific combinations of words and
sentences and images -- text and pictures can be copyrighted. We may
own and restrict usage of such materials. But information, knowledge we
do not and cannot own. BUT that isn't really the issue here.
I agree with what most of the writers have pointed out.
We are the repositories of historical pictures, books, etc. etc.
It costs to maintain these treasures. It costs us to have staff to help
patrons find and use
the archives. It cost for our staffs to make copies. It is surely not
unreasonable to charge for those services and for our basic costs of
keeping and preserving these historical archives..
I also totally agree that we can and should charge a reasonable fee for
the commercial use
of our materials. If somebody writes a book or produces an
advertisement using our copyrighted materials, it is reasonable that
they should be charged an appropriate usage fee. They are commercially
benefiting from our archives.
Further, if it is appropriate and necessary, we can and should restrict
usage to suitably
protect the original materials . THIS might be a good reason for not
allowing someone to scan materials, but, consider that the mere act of
allowing someone to handle a rare newspaper or book or other physical
object likely causes more wear and tear and potential damage than a
scan. So it may be reasonable in such cases to insist upon having only
staff members handle or scan rare, fragile materials.
BUT where I strongly disagree is when some patrons are allowed to
handle, look at, make extensive pencil notes or even write down actual
text, transcribe entire texts in shorthand, read text aloud into a tape
recorder, or some other traditional way of making use of two-dimensional
archives. . . all for free. but when someone else records the data
using electronic digital methods, e.g. a computer and scanner, suddenly,
this is different and a fee is charged. This is discriminatory.
If you charge people to make scans, then consistency says you also must
charge others who take their notes with a pencil and paper And if you
let someone take pencil and paper notes, or even transcribe entire texts
with shorthand, without charging a fee, it is wrong to charge
somebody because they choose to use a scanner rather than a pencil and
shorthand book.
Institutions should establish sensible policies... charge fees for
commercial reuse? sure!
charge fees for use of archival materials? sure, that can be
appropriate to help cover our
overhead costs. It can be appropriate to control damage to fragile
materials by limiting or restricting usage of some orginal materials?
But to allow some people to use materials without a fee while charging
others a fee simply because they choose digital electronic recording
methods, not traditional pencil and paper, etc. that is flat out
discriminatory!
don
----- Original Message -----
From: Mary Lee
To: localhistory@listserve.uwec.edu
Sent: Monday, April 05, 2010 11:42 PM
Subject: Re: Scanning Documents
Bill...As Secretary of the Adams County Historical Society, my
thoughts would be that they would be charged per page just like a
regular copy. The info would still be owned by us and they are still
getting a copy of the info. Hope this helps. Mary Lee
----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Schuette
To: localhistory@listserve.uwec.edu
Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2010 11:55 AM
Subject: Scanning Documents
How do others handle a situation like this:
We have researchers who bring their own laptops and flatbed scanners
along when doing research at our museum.
If they find documents in our files relating to their research, they
scan them into their computers. At this time we
are not charging anything as this practice is relatively new. How do
other museums accommodate this situation?
Do you charge per page? Or do you charge a flat fee?
Thanks for your help.
Bill Schuette
Sauk County Historical Society
Baraboo, WI