NCSU Libraries Focus Online

Volume 23 number 3 - Spring 2003

LRCDA: Scholarly Communication Center

By Peggy Hoon, Scholarly Communication

Opening its doors in January 1998, the Scholarly Communication Center (SCC) was one of the first operational units of the Learning and Research Center for the Digital Age (LRCDA). Envisioned as a resource supporting the university's research and service goals, the SCC offers guidance to both the Libraries and NC State's faculty, students, and staff in matters relating to the dissemination and use of knowledge. Although other institutions have established centers for scholarly communication or copyright management staffed by an attorney, the SCC pioneered placement of such a unit in the academic library. The SCC, operating in close communication with NC State's Office of Legal Affairs, serves as the NCSU Libraries' primary resource on fair use and other copyright issues as they relate to library collections and services. Through workshops, colloquia, and individual consultation, the SCC helps faculty, students, and staff establish an understanding of fair use and offers access to information resources on scholarly communication, particularly those relating to licensing, intellectual property, copyright, and fair use. Importantly, the vice provost and director of Libraries and the SCC provide a voice for the Libraries and the university in helping to shape national policies relating to scholarly communication.

Over the past five years, the SCC has facilitated several major scholarly communication colloquia featuring nationally recognized speakers of interest to the NC State community as well as other colleagues in the Triangle. The scholarly communication librarian participated in development of the university copyright ownership policy at both the system and campus level and currently serves in an ex-officio status on the university Copyright Committee. Additionally, the SCC has actively developed and provided information on copyright and fair use, primarily through its Web presence.

Sample information resources available on the SCC Web site (http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/scc/) include a tutorial series on "Copyright Use," "Copyright Ownership at NC State" (a new tutorial), "Licensing Electronic Resources," and "Plagiarism"; a sample publishing agreement language; and a "Permissions Guide." Of special interest to the NC State community, LRCDA partners, and the world beyond is the new "TEACH Toolkit: An Online Resource for Understanding Copyright and Distance Education." This toolkit provides information and hands-on guidance for implementation of the Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization Act (TEACH), which updates copyright law pertaining to transmissions of performances and displays of copyrighted materials. Such transmissions are critical to current higher-education distance education efforts, including online courses.

With the opening of the unified space for the LRCDA, the Scholarly Communication Center is looking forward to enhanced collaboration with its LRCDA partners. The close proximity and interaction will facilitate the development of innovative services for the NCSU Libraries and its patrons.