Guide patrons through fair use decisions when using copyrighted materials.

Sara Wolf gives librarians strategies for guiding patrons through fair use decisions when using copyrighted materials.

Fair use. It sounds so straightforward, and yet many find applying it to their use of copyrighted material to be anything but straightforward.

Patrons, when they ask, typically are searching for an easy, definitive answer as to whether their use of a particular item in a particular situation is "ok." Librarians are hesitant to give these "pat" answers either because they aren't confident in their own interpretation, or they (rightfully so) want to avoid the impression of giving legal advice. With these conflicting desires in place, how can librarians go about assisting their patrons in making wise fair use decisions? 

Sara Wolf will give librarians strategies and recommendations for guiding patrons and colleagues through the process of making wise fair use decisions and explain the foundations on which those decisions are made.