Introduces basic access and privacy laws, concepts, definitions, and professional ethical standards affecting manuscript materials and private and family papers.

Introduces basic access and privacy laws, concepts, definitions, and professional ethical standards affecting the management of records created by organizations, businesses, agencies, and other entities.

Attorney and archivist Menzi Behrnd-Klodt details a number of legal issues in this excellent resource. The book is divided into 4 major sections corresponding to functional areas of archival and public history work: legal framework (especially useful for its orientation to the structure of laws and litigation, how to work with lawyers, and how to be a good client): acquiring and securing ownership to collections; access (e.g., privacy, student, health, presidential, and public records); and copyright and intellectual property. In addition, the book includes many sample legal documents, forms, policies, and guidelines (e.g., mission statement, collections policy, subpoena examples, deeds of gift, restrictions, copyright expiration table, deaccession and loan forms, and releases for users requesting copies from a repository). An explanation of the legal issues in each is provided along with the curatorial and cultural objectives at stake.

About Rights in the Digital Era:

MODULE 4
Understanding Copyright Law
Heather Briston
Describes the main principles of copyright law and outlines strategies for addressing common issues, special topics, and digital projects.

MODULE 5
Balancing Access and Privacy in Manuscript Collections
Menzi L. Behrnd-Klodt
Introduces basic access and privacy laws, concepts, definitions, and professional ethical standards affecting manuscript materials and private and family papers.

MODULE 6
Balancing Access and Privacy in the Records of Organizations
Menzi L. Behrnd-Klodt
Introduces basic access and privacy laws, concepts, definitions, and professional ethical standards affecting the management of records created by organizations, businesses, agencies, and other entities.

MODULE 7
Managing Rights and Permissions
Aprille C. McKay
Provides practical guidance to help archivists transfer, clear, manage, and track rights information in analog and digital archives.

About Trends in Archives Practice:

This open-ended series by the Society of American Archivists features brief, authoritative treatments—written and edited by top-level professionals—that fill significant gaps in archival literature. The goal of this modular approach is to build agile, user-centered resources. Modules treat discrete topics relating to the practical management of archives and manuscript collections in the digital age. Select modules are clustered together by topic (as they are here) and are available in print or electronic format. Each module also is available separately in electronic format so that readers can mix and match modules that best satisfy their needs and interests. Stay on trend with Trends in Archives Practice!