108 Copyright © 2016, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. Chapter 6 DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-0296-8.ch006 ABSTRACT This chapter examined digital libraries and copyright issues. It considered several issues such as the meaning of digital libraries, the characteristics, functions, digital scholarship services, copyright and the materials that can be and cannot be copyrighted, fair use of library materials, reservation for gen- eral use, access to electronic copies, guidelines for fair use in the digital libraries, library reproduction and re-distribution and inter-library loan. The chapter concludes that, reading through this chapter, undergraduates, academics and other library users will have a good understanding of what the digital libraries are and copyright issue all of which are considered very important and germane as we ap- proach paperless society. INTRODUCTION Networks of libraries and information services are important channels of communication in the society. They are gateways to the universe of knowledge accumulated over centuries and recorded until recently and majorly on print media. Libraries have been instrumental in all aspects of development in society by providing continual information back-up services to sustain economic growth of nations, emancipation of the masses and their education. Without the provision of library services and materials to support education, research and the supply of information for the improvement of trade, social and economic progress would not have been on such scale. Digital Libraries and Copyright Issues Adeyinka Tella University of Ilorin, Nigeria Saheed Oyeniran University of Ilorin, Nigeria Olubukola James Ojo University of Ilorin, Nigeria