Permission & Attribution

The following policy applies to materials on Duke University Libraries websites, unless otherwise specified.

How can I use website materials?

The materials on this website are available for your non-commercial use, such as:

  • private study
  • research
  • scholarship
  • teaching


You may reproduce (i.e., print, make photocopies and download) materials from this website without prior permission for non-commercial purposes, on the condition that you provide proper attribution of the sources in all copies. Note that many web pages whose content is wholly created by Duke Libraries staff carry a Creative Commons license and that for use consistent with the terms of this license, no further permission need be sought.

You must  contact us  in advance for permission to reproduce materials in whole or part for the following:

  • broadcast
  • commercial uses
  • mirroring
  • publication
  • other uses that do not fall under " fair use " or the terms of the Creative Commons license


All permissions granted by Duke are granted in so far and only in so far as the rights of Duke University Libraries are concerned. Some materials on this website may be copyrighted by other entities. If you wish to use these materials, you must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of literary property rights or copyrights. You must agree to indemnify and to hold harmless Duke University, its officers, employees and agents from and against all suits, claims, actions and expenses arising out of the use of reproductions provided by Duke University Libraries.

Can I photocopy or reproduce materials under U.S. copyright law?

Title 17 of  U.S. Copyright Law governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction.

The photocopy or reproduction cannot be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research," according to the law. If you make a request for, or later use, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of " fair use " or any other exception to the copyright law, you may be liable for infringement. Duke University reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.

For more information about copyright law and how it applies to information found on the Internet, see:

How do I attribute website materials? 

When using materials from the Duke University Libraries website, please cite the following:

  • the name of the Duke library
  • the title of the web page or resource
  • the URL (web address) of the page where the materials are displayed

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