Scanning & Digitization
Scanning is another form of copying or reproduction and it is possible to scan print material to make it available electronically if a provision or an exception such as fair dealing or educational purposes applies.
Digitization is the process by which analogue material, e.g. a VHS video cassette, is coverted to, or reproduced as, a digital format, e.g. a DVD or computer file. Digitization is more commonly known as format shifting. It is an exclusive right of the copyright owner and permission is required to digitize any work unless an exception or provision in the Copyright Act applies.
If you wish to scan or digitize material for educational purposes e.g. scan a print journal article and save as a pdf file, see Guidelines for Using Copyright Material for Educational Purposes
If you are reproducing textual material, e.g. a chapter from a book, under fair dealing for research and study, it is also permitted to digitize it, i.e. to scan it and save it as a computer file rather than photocopy it. So long as the digital copy is for your own research and study. You are not permitted to share it with anyone else, i.e. by emailing it to the them or making it available on a website.
You may scan or digitize a photograph, book, magazine or newspaper that you own for your own personal use, see Format shifting for personal use (conditions and limitations apply).
It is important to note that just because you can scan copyright material to make it available in electronic format this does not mean that you can then communicate it online or email it to other people. Material scanned under the fair dealing or personal use provisions is for your own use and can not be placed on line or shared with other people. Material scanned for educational purposes can be placed online or emailed so long as any conditions and limits are abided by.
It is recommended that you create a PDF copy as PDFs are not only easier to access but they protect the integrity of the information. Any item that is scanned must also be properly attributed and the source cited.
Journal articles and some books may already be available electronically via Library databases. If this is the case, you can link directly to the item rather than making an electronic copy. If you wish to print or download material from Library databases for educational purposes, e.g. to include in a course pack, please contact the Copyright Office for advice, as use of the databases is governed by a licence which may not permit material to be printed or downloaded for educational purposes.
Readings Online can help!
Readings Online is a service that can make your reading materials available online via the LMS. Simply provide a reading list to Readings Online and they will do the rest. For more information visit the Readings Online website.