Recently Asked Questions

Our library gets taxpayer funding from its own line on a school district tax bill. We know this "259" funding is a recurring tax that can only be changed with approval of the voters. That said, this year the total amount remitted by the school district was reduced due to "corrections" made after the tax bills went out. We've also been told the library could have to return levy money if a taxpayer successfully challenges their assessment. Is this true? We're concerned about what such reductions could do to our annual budget.

[This question comes from a regional BOCES.]

Our technology integration specialist suggested that we use an AI tool to re-level books/text by an original author to a more appropriate reading level for students who are struggling. This is now being used regularly with our special education staff for students who are struggling readers. Is this an infringement of copyright?

Many libraries/archives hold unpublished materials whose creators are deceased, but are still protected by copyright since copyright lasts 70 years after death.

If a library/archives lacks a deed of gift (or if the deed of gift doesn’t explicitly transfer copyright), can an heir transfer copyright or otherwise provide permission for the library to publish/digitize/etc? In NY, are copyrights automatically transferred to heirs when someone dies? What if there is no will?

We are a small, rural, association library that serves a population of under 4,500. We recently received an Abuse or Molestation Exclusion from our general liability/property insurance company. It states that the Abuse or Molestation Exclusion on our policy has been replaced with a new "Broad" Abuse or Exclusion, which applies regardless of whether the abuse or molestation occurs while in the care, custody or control of any insured. Basically, we have no coverage in the case of any abuse or molestation claim made against a staff member. Our library has 21 security cameras throughout our facility, including any room where a staff member might be alone with children. We have a strict policy where a staff member is never to be alone one-on-one with a child. We have a Child Safety Policy in place. We also have Directors and Officers insurance, Employment Practices Liability insurance, as well as Workmans Comp coverage. We've had our insurance agent look into a separate Sexual Abuse Molestation (SAM) policy but it is quite expensive. Is it necessary for libraries to purchase an additional SAM policy, if we have taken these extra precautions?

The library has been discussing new ways to handle our discards. A senior staff member of a very significant local library told us recently that they donate their discards to the Internet Archive. A staff member here expressed concerns with IA scanning and making publicly available on their website copyrighted materials, and concern for liability on our part for contributing to potentially illegal activity. The staff member wondered if only materials free from copyright concerns should be donated. At this point we are not looking to create a digital library as IA has done for many organizations, but just simply to donate the material for them to use as they see fit in hopes of the material being used for the greater good. Should we have any concerns with donating our discards to IA? Thanks for helping us sort-out this concern.