Types of Resources

Electronic Databases: Electronic databases include online encyclopedias, almanacs, indexes to information contained in books and magazines, and full-text books, and journals. These resources will vary according to the needs of the various education communities. Each education community will select a core of age-appropriate resources to support its overall curriculum. Examples of core resources are online encyclopedias, almanacs, biographical sources, and the full text of magazines and books. The AVL will negotiate and comply with vendor licensing agreements. Licenses should:

  • Comply with the limitations set by Alabama law.
  • Provide the AVL with rights to the content for which it has paid.
  • Should not require the AVL to police the use of or hold it libel for the use of the information.
  • Should require only "reasonable effort" on the part of the AVL to address misuse by AVL users when discovered by the publisher or vendor.
  • Allow use by all students and teachers in Alabama schools (K-12 school systems, two-year colleges, four-year colleges, and universities), patrons of Alabama public libraries, and all citizens of the State of Alabama.
  • Should permit "fair use" of the information, understood to mean to include the same sorts of curricular and research purposes that have been pursued with print materials.
  • Should allow the AVL to enhance the use of the data to make it more visible or convenient as needed, e.g. online reserves.
  • Respect the confidentiality of information about individual users and their use of the information.
  • Provide for reciprocal rights to terminate the license agreement.
  • Provide usage data to facilitate internal needs and service analysis.

Electronic Books: Electronic books (eBooks) will vary according to the needs of the various education communities. Each education community will select a core of age-appropriate resources to support its overall curriculum. Examples of core resources are online encyclopedias, almanacs, biographical sources, and other special reference sources. E-books will be considered individually and in packages.