Re: copyright expiration as a spur to creativity

On 08/20/98, Michael Scarpitti <mscarpit[_at_]asnt.org> wrote:
>
> 3) I use booksearch services all the time. My point is that when
> you are writing about something and need the book for an extended
> period, ILL, good though it is, allows only two or three weeks. If
> you can't scarf up a copy on the used market, and have to return
> the book, you're SOL.

Well, at least we now know why Michael thinks he needs to own a copy of the book, which had been very unclear until now. I apologize Michael, I thought you were one of those people who just had to OWN things NOW, but I see that is not the case.

Most libraries are very willing to work with you. When you ask for the book ILL, you might also ask to be able to keep it longer than the usual three weeks. You might ask if it is possible to keep the book for, say, 3 months or until it is recalled. If the library knows ahead of time, they can make provisions and perhaps borrow it from a library that is able to allow you to have it out for that long. You might also try calling the lending library (always stamped all over the book) and asking if it would be possible to keep it longer, or find a way to check it out directly from them (for a university library, there is usually a way to become a "visitor" and have limited library privileges, especially if you are friends with a professor there).

There are many ways to work around this without having to resort to illegal actions such as copyright infringement.

                                          Angela Putney
                                          aputney[_at_]aip.org