Peter Rowland says that the British Library "articles direct" service offers
"most if not all that is held by the British Library. Not quite correct. If
an article, or a chapter in a book, is copyright, BL requires the written
permission of the copyright owner even for a single copy for research
purposes. Such permission is also required by some, but not by other, U.S.
archives before they will provide a copy of a letter or document for
research. Needless to say, this policy is at best a nuisance that reduces
the value of these copying services. It is all the more peculiar because 1)
imposed by some, but not other, libraries and archives, and 2) a visitor is
free to copy the article or letter by hand, without permission.
Harold Orlans
Bethesda, MD
horlans@erols.com