Library's Legal Answer Book (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

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The authors, who both possess law degrees, bring their considerable expertise and library experience to bear in this troubleshooting legal guide for librarians and attorneys. Containing answers to more than 600 legal questions, the work tackles topics and concerns as diverse as copyright, Web page design, filters and other restrictions on Internet access, privacy, library spaces as "public forums," professional liability, ADA compliance, library employment, and lobbying by nonprofit organizations, foundations, associations, and others. The information is consistently clear, accessible, and well supported by notes at the end of each chapter. An index and the occasional case study enhance the guide's usability and thoroughness. A much-needed resource to help librarians maneuver the labyrinth of legal challenges facing them today. Highly recommended for all libraries. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Description

Every librarian who wants to make wise policy decisions and protect the organization from legal challenges can now consult the library legal team of Minow and Lipinskil Libraries are in the thick of legal issues as new technologies add layers of complexity to everyday work in the library. How do you know what's legal? What can you do to identify and address issues before they turn into bona fide legal matters? Where do you turn for help? In this comprehensive and authoritative, yet easy-to-understand Q & A customized for librarians, you'll find expert guidance on complex issues. With coverage of all the issues of the day - filters, fair use, copyright, Web publishing and Internet use, software sharing, ADA compliance, free speech, privacy, access, and employment and liability issues - you will have a "librarian's J.D." in short order! This timely and practical desktop tool: Focuses on quick and reader-friendly answers to common legal questions; Provides examples of legal challenges faced in libraries; Includes precedents and case citations to conduct additional research; Supports libraries in their commitment to access without liability; With detailed and ready-to-apply answers to more than 600 legal questions; this trouble-shooting guide will become your favorite quick-reference.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: American Library Association; 1 edition (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0838908284
• ISBN-13: 978-0838908280
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #878,784 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear, concise, essential, March 26, 2003

By	David Dodd (Petaluma, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Minow and Lipinski have crafted a guide for librarians who need guidance in what might seem to be a hopeless quagmire of potential legal entangelements. Its organization is clear, and an excellent index provides good access to its contents. Most important, perhaps, is the clear and unintimidating style of the writing.
Some sections transcend the "library" in the title, and would be useful for anyone a) designing a website; b) working to provide access to resources for people with disabilities; or c) employing staff. Journalists covering library issues will find it to be a useful reference as well.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All you ever wanted to know..., February 27, 2003

By	Karen Dyer (Dublin, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ms. Minow and Mr. Lipinski have written a very thorough, extremely readable volume on a tough topic--libraries and the law. In these times, both patrons and those active in the library world need to know the information in this book.
Written in an engaging question and answer format, the book is like reading newspaper questions to the editor with responses!
All of us fit in the patron and/or library world categories (right?) and, therefore, I highly recommend this book to everyone. As a person who falls into both categories, I learned a lot--and, with no pain! Five stars.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thoughtfully written and extensively researched account, April 18, 2003

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

The collaborative effort of Mary Minow (President of the California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners) and Tomas A. Lipinski (Assistant Professor and Co-Director of the Center for Information Policy Research, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee's School of Information Studies), The Library's Legal Answer Book is a thoughtful and authoritative survey and analysis of the intersection of legal matters and library business. Ranging from adapting digital library resources to serve patients with disabilities, to issues of privacy and library records, to issues pertaining to library employment, The Library's Legal Answer Book is a thoughtfully written and extensively researched account, expertly created to give the reader a good grounding in background information about libraries and the law. No private, corporate, academic, or community library system should be without recourse to a copy of The Library's Legal Answer Book.