As we continue with online instruction, it's important to keep in mind that there are legal issues involved in distributing course information online. (As you may know, GSU was, until very recently, involved in a lawsuit begun in 2008 regarding this very subject!).
Key points:
Helpful guides from the Library:
On posting/linking to course materials in iCollege:
Journal Articles
Electronically available through the Library: Link directly to the article rather than uploading the PDF directly. This is the easiest and legally safest way to include an electronic article in iCollege.
To do this: Locate the article in a database, then look for a permanent URL (look for language like "persistent" or "permalink" or "stable" URL). The URL in the main address bar is a temporary URL that will NOT link students to the article: the "permanent" URL is the one that will do that!
Not electronically available through the Library:
Before you post a PDF directly to iCollege, read the USG Copyright Policy thoroughly and use the USG Fair Use Checklist as a tool to help you determine if your use of the item for the course is considered fair use. Save a copy of the completed USG Fair Use Checklist for your record and consider including a statement somewhere in iCollege to the effect that you have assessed that your sharing of this copyrighted material falls within fair use guidelines.
Books/Book Chapters
Search in the library catalog to see if an e-version of the book is available (see also our eBooks research guide for help on searching, and a list of databases below that include full-text ebooks for instructional use). If the book is available, look for the "permalink" icon and include the link in iCollege.
If you want to scan book chapters to upload a PDF directly to iCollege, read the USG Copyright Policy thoroughly and use the USG Fair Use Checklist as a tool to help you determine if your use of the item for the course is considered fair use. NOTE: You must save a copy of the completed USG Fair Use Checklist for your records. Save a copy of the completed USG Fair Use Checklist for your record and consider including a statement somewhere in iCollege to the effect that you have assessed that your sharing of this copyrighted material falls within fair use guidelines.
Fair use guidelines generally do not permit for entire books (or for substantial portions of books) to be scanned and posted.
This database is home to the full range of SAGE eBook and eReference content, containing over 5,100 titles, including reference works - such as SAGE Handbooks, academic books, professional development titles, CQ Press titles and more
This link opens in a new windowOpen Educational Resources
Open Educational Resources (OERs) are teaching materials in a broad range of formats (from full courses to textbooks to streaming videos and many other kinds of learning objects) which are either in the public domain or have been released under an intellectual property license which allows others to use them freely or repurpose as needed. See the LIbrary's Open Education guide for further information and assistance. See also our new database, Faculty Select, useful for searching for open or low-cost educational materials:
Faculty Select enables faculty to find and access open educational resource (OER) content, as well as find and request unlimited user DRM-Free eBooks from our library. You must authenticate before accessing this resource using the link provided.
DVDs (and even videocassettes!) are available for viewing, for checkout, and can also be put on reserve.
The library also has several streaming film databases:
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To link to a film in one of these databases, look for the "permalink" in the film's database (and/or the "Share" option).
We are not able to provide access to commercial film streaming sites like Netflix or Hulu (and so on) as these sites do not sell licenses to libraries or institutions. The site JustWatch.com provides information on commercial streaming options for films and television shows, which can help you identify low-cost options where possible.
If you have a public library card/account*, you may be able to stream films through that library account. Contact that library directly to see what your access options are.
*GSU students and faculty are eligible to get a library card from the Fulton County Public Library System, which does provide access to some streaming films. Learn more about getting a card here.
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Audiovisual materials may also be available at sites like YouTube, Vimeo, and Internet Archive (though materials posted to these sites may be subject to takedown).
