Opening AG Pubs in Hathitrust

HathiTrust Overview

Requesting a Report of publications in hathitrust

Contact feedback@issues.hathitrust.org to request a query based on metadata fields. Sample query strings for land-grant ag publications below.

Analyzing the Results

The table below is a sample of a report generated by HathiTrust based on queries submitted for the University of California. The report was shared as a Google spreadsheet.

• enum/chron - enumeration/chronology
• zephir CID refers to the "cluster ID" - the ID used to connect identical records, using the OCLC number
• ht id - a unique identifier. In submitting a Creative Commons declaration to HathiTrust, this is the required data element identifying which publications to release. HathiTrust requires a list of ht ids, and only that is needed in addition to the signed release form.
• rights attibute - this reflects the current rights status assigned to the record in the HathiTrust database. See this page for more information about the codes assigned.
• right reason - this is the reason why the current rights status was assigned. See this page for more information about the codes assigned.

Getting Permissions

Obtain a Creative Commons Declaration for items: one form per license type if different licenses will be assigned to different sets of items.

• HathiTrust expects that the person signing the release has diligently gone through the results.
• For publications where there may be additional copyright holders to the University
  • Do not use CC0 - public domain license
  • CC license is non-revocable. If there is any doubt/potential that a work will be republished one day, do not assign a CC license.
  • Note: If the additional copyright holder is part of the University, you need to request the appropriate Copyright Delegate to "not object" to the volumes being opened (w/CC license applied) on HathiTrust.
    • This can be done via email but document the email and response that they do not object.
• Think about how to phrase the statement on the form so that any publication in a series can be opened using the same agreement in the future. Note that this addresses gap filling as digitized volumes are added to HathiTrust, not to future issues of a serial. You can state "all volumes up until this date."
  • Recommend that all the future issues be published with that CC notice printed on the issue because that leaves no room for doubt about the CC license status.

CRMS Review - Eligibility Criteria

If a volume published in the US from 1923 to 1978 lacks copyright notice in the front matter, it may be automatically in the public domain. A volume published in the US from 1923-1963 may have a copyright in the front matter but if the copyright was never renewed, it may now be in the public domain. You can check for renewal via the Stanford Copyright Renewals database. If you have such a volume, HathiTrust can add it to the queue to reviewed by CRMS team if it meets the following criteria:

• Monographs published through 1963
• Gov and local docs through 1977
• Volumes must not have individually credited sections in the Table of Contents (no research compilations)
• Must not indicate prior publication (no reprints...)
• There is no workflow for volumes that are entirely data, these must lack copyright notice to be added to the queue.

Cornell's documentation about working with Dean to open volumes

1) Prepare for Dean’s Review & Signature: This step involves preparing a packet of all the essential information that a busy Dean needs to make his/her final decision. This is a critical step in establishing trust and credibility and should involve senior library leadership. Materials assembled should include:

1. Live demonstration of HathiTrust database
2. Book truck with 1 volume from each series title
3. A project narrative written in the form of a letter to the Dean explaining: what the HathiTrust partnership and Digital Library is; why it is important to release agricultural publications in HathiTrust; why the Library is involved; and why the Dean’s signature is necessary. The letter should also include links to any project documentation and the names and contact information for the designated project manager.
4. A copy of the HathiTrust Permissions Form, which suggested licenses flagged.
5. A copy of the Copyright FAQ
6. Print copies of both the Detailed and Brief title lists. Make certain to specify to the Dean what his/her signature accomplishes, whether that is releasing a specific date range of series or whether we intend for his/her signature to include any and all issues of a particular series title. If the latter, this effectively means that the Dean only needs to sign one permission form (rather than multiple) to release any current and future issues of a series.

2) Obtain Signature: The final lists will be submitted with a permissions agreement form to the Dean requesting that they be opened for full viewing.

1. Allow sufficient time for the Dean to review and sign. It may be helpful for the project manager to briefly follow-up via email, offering to take point on clarifying any questions or areas of concern, which may include liaising with your local copyright authority.

State initiatives: Tracking progress

Additional Information:

• Robert B. McGeachin (2017) Set Your Agricultural Publications Free in the HathiTrust Repository, Journal of Agricultural & Food Information, 18:1, 3-8, DOI: 10.1080/10496505.2016.1263201
• McGeachin, R., Cook, M., Lin, E., Teghtmeyer, S. (10 July 2019). Making the Case for Open Agriculture. Slides: https://cornell.box.com/s/xz01i9b9vzhg0cytnfqqs6a0cy1ca8xa and video recording: https://cornell.box.com/s/zxv9wucsiwah96got8ces10xpjpujpci.