Using the Digital Collections
Utah State University Libraries Digital Collections
Utah State University Libraries provides online access to digitized materials from Special Collections & Archives, University Archives, and select library partners to support research, instruction, and discovery. Many of these materials are made available online under the principles of fair use as defined in Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act, which allows limited reproduction of copyrighted works for purposes such as criticism, commentary, teaching, scholarship, and research.
USU Libraries includes known information about copyright status and rights in the descriptive record for each item or collection. Additional information can also be found in the associated finding aid inventory for each collection. However, complete information is not always available. The user has the final responsibility of determining the copyright status of materials and for satisfying any copyright, legal, or other restrictions when reproducing, publishing, or otherwise distributing items found in the digital collections.
Materials in the collections may also be subject to conditions beyond copyright, including donor agreements, privacy and publicity rights, trademarks, cultural sensitivities, or other legal considerations. Access to a digital image or file does not automatically grant permission to publish or distribute it.
Fair Use and Educational Access
Many materials are made available to support uses commonly associated with fair use, including research, teaching, scholarship, commentary, and private study. Uses that extend beyond fair use—such as publication, commercial use, public display, or broadcast—may require permission from the copyright holder.
Rights Status Categories
The copyright status of items in these digital collections generally falls into one of the following categories:
Public Domain
Items believed to be in the public domain may be used freely without requesting permission. Attribution to Utah State University Libraries as the source is appreciated. A typical credit line may include the name of the collection, Utah State University Libraries, and identifying details about the item.
In Copyright
If a work is protected by copyright, it is the user’s responsibility to determine whether an intended use falls within fair use or other provisions of copyright law, or whether permission must be obtained from the rights holder. In some cases, creators have granted reuse rights through a Creative Commons license or a statement attached to the work. When known, this information will be included in the item description and users should follow the terms provided.
Orphan Works or Copyright Status Unknown
For certain materials, the Libraries do not have sufficient information to determine copyright status due to missing authorship details, publication dates, or provenance. For some “Orphan” works, the copyright holder cannot be identified or located after reasonable research. Users should proceed thoughtfully and make their own determination about how to use these materials, including whether to treat them as if they are protected by copyright.
Requesting Permission to Use Digital Materials
High-resolution images may be requested from Special Collections & Archives by sending an email to [email protected]. You may also reach out to the Digital Stewardship Program at [email protected] for requests or questions related to materials available online in our Digital History Collections. Requests are evaluated based on factors such as the intended use, copyright status, and any donor or access restrictions. Requests may be declined if reproduction could violate legal or contractual limitations.
Permission is typically required for uses beyond research and private study, including publication (print or digital), public display, distribution, or broadcast. Some materials may be in the public domain and not require additional permission, while others may involve third-party rights such as artist copyright, trademark, privacy, or publicity rights. It is the user’s responsibility to obtain any necessary permissions from rights holders.
To preserve the integrity of collection materials, users may be asked not to alter images through cropping, overprinting, or other modifications without permission. Please allow adequate time for staff to review and fulfill reproduction and permission inquiries.
Responsibility for Use
Individuals who use or request reproductions from Utah State University Libraries assume responsibility for identifying and satisfying any intellectual property rights or other legal requirements related to their use. By using these materials, users agree to take responsibility for their use and to respect applicable laws and restrictions.
Citation and Attribution
When using materials from the Libraries, please acknowledge the source. Many items on this website include citations in the item description record, and collection citations may also be found in the associated finding aid or inventory in Archives West. Citations should include the name of the collection, Utah State University Libraries, and sufficient descriptive information to identify the item, along with the URL if accessed online. Proper attribution helps preserve context and supports continued access to these materials for future researchers.
See the <USU Special Collections & Archives guidance on citations> for more information. (hyperlink will be added)
Community Archives & Partnerships
The Community Archives collections are built through partnerships with museums, cultural institutions, and community organizations to tell diverse stories of the Intermountain West. These collections may contain materials that have been digitized and are hosted online by USU Libraries for the purposes of public access, but ownership and authority remains in the control of partnering institution. Permission to publish or reproduce images that are not owned by USU Libraries may require contacting the partner institution directly. If you have any questions about ownership of specific items in our community collections, please contact the Digital Stewardship Program at [email protected].
The Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation Tribal Library
USU Libraries supports public access to this collection in collaboration with the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation Tribal Library. Utah State University does not claim ownership of or authority over any of the materials hosted online in this digital collection.
For permissions and use of images or other materials from the NWBSN Tribal Library Digital Collection, please reach out directly to the NWBSN Tribal Headquarters at https://nwbshoshone.com/contact/ or 435-734-2286.
