The American Folklife Center and community fieldworkers who carried out these Mellon-Foundation-funded Community Collection Grant projects (2022-2024) feel a strong ethical responsibility to the people who have consented to have their lives documented for the historical record. Researchers are asked to approach the materials in this collection with respect for the culture and sensibilities of the people whose lives, ideas, and creativity are documented here.
With the consent of the community fieldworkers and people documented in these collections, the Center is providing online access to these materials strictly for educational and research purposes. The written permission of the copyright owners and/or other holders of rights (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use of the items beyond that allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions. Researchers or others who would like to make further use of these collection materials should contact the Folklife Reading Room for assistance. The Center cannot grant permission to use items in its collections, because it generally does not own the copyright to materials in the collections. Whenever possible, however, staff will provide the most accurate information available regarding copyright holders, based on what is known about the materials in our collections.
Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. See our Legal Notices and Privacy and Publicity Rights for additional information and restrictions.
Ethical responsibilities extend beyond legal obligations. Patrons are responsible for doing their due diligence, which may include obtaining permission from an appropriate cultural authority or tribal government leader to access and make use of a work.
Credit line
Follow the Music: Exploring Multi-Linear Legacies of House Culture, Community Collections Grant Project, 2023 (AFC 2022/012), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
