From: "Monette Bebow-Reinhard" <grimm1@bayland.net> Subject: RE: Scanning Documents Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 12:06:40 -0500 Message-ID: <007701cad73d$db6c1170$92443450$@net>
Interesting point, Don. I agree that we should pay to use their machines
and paper and ink. But what is the charge for if we use a camera? This
saves on the handling and processing of these documents in any other way -
digitals cameras can do it without the use of any kind of light, by the way,
which is considered damaging. So if we use our own equipment, including our
pencils, what is that additional charge for?
Perhaps it is that charges for photocopying are priced to also help fund
the archives itself, and are not strictly just for reimbursement of copying
expenses. In this case, paying for digital camera copying should be done,
but at a slightly lower rate.
All tricky stuff! This is why at our museum the archives is free for use to
members, with a sitting charge of $5 per hour for non-members. They also
have to bring their own reproducing pencils and scanners. Use of photos
would depend on who the photos are copyrighted to, of course. Currently our
archives are mostly secondary source materials.
Monette
Oconto Archaic Copper Museum
From: localhistory-request@listserve.uwec.edu
[mailto:localhistory-request@listserve.uwec.edu] On Behalf Of Don Jensen
Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2010 2:42 PM
To: localhistory@listserve.uwec.edu
Subject: Re: Scanning Documents
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 <mailto:klaus.haus@maqs.net>
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 <mailto:wschuette@wicw.net>
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