Policy on Access to Licensed Web Resources

Roger Williams University Library licenses a variety of research materials (databases, electronic journals and books, and other web-accessible resources) for online access through the Web.  Only currently enrolled Roger Williams University students, faculty, and staff are eligible to access licensed resources from on and off-campus locations. Access control (authentication) is required and specified in our contracts with the vendors of these resources.

The Library takes seriously its legal responsibility to comply with contracts and abide by current copyright law.  The Library will investigate reported misuse of licensed resources. The consequences of willfully breaching contracts could be significant for the University community, including the loss of campus access to library supported research databases.

The library supports the July 15, 1997, "Principles for Licensing Electronic Resources," drafted by six library organizations including the American Library Association and the Association of Research Libraries and upholds the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).