Copyright basics: Coursepacks

Coursepacks

Course packs are compilations of material gathered by or at the request of faculty to serve as classroom texts or supplements. Course packs have the potential to violate the original authors’ copyrights. Therefore, it is the responsibility of an instructor wanting to create or use a course pack to clear copyright permissions for each document used.  

For coursepacks sold through the TCC bookstore, the instructor needs to provide written documentation of permission to duplicate and distribute the document. Once all the documentation is obtained, the course pack can be duplicated and submitted through the proper channels for bookstore distribution. Please contact the TCC bookstore for more information.

There are several professional services and resources that can help with course pack copyright clearance. It is up to the instructor to handle any fees associated with obtaining copyright clearance for course packs.

• Copyright Clearance Center

• XanEdu

Using the Library's digital resources in lieu of a coursepack

Before you go through all the steps required to put together a course pack, make sure to check the Library's databases. The Library databases contain thousands of periodical articles, including those from peer-reviewed journals. Check out the information about finding and linking to articles from library databases or contact a librarian at library@tacomacc.edu for help!