Access and Use Agreement – Stirpes Study Group

The Stirpes Study Group is designed to facilitate discussion and deeper understanding of genealogy topics through the study of articles published in Stirpes, The Journal of the Texas State Genealogical Society (Stirpes). Participants will have the opportunity to explore various subjects, share insights, and learn collaboratively. The Stirpes Study Group program is offered free of charge to TxSGS Partner Societies and subscribing libraries (participating organizations).

 

Materials Provided

Participating organizations may choose one article for each month of their program from the Stirpes Study Group library on the TxSGS website (see Session Listings on our website). Selected Stirpes articles (articles) have been curated by the Denton Public Library and may be used by permission of the author and TxSGS.

The Denton Public Library has created documents for use in each session of the study groups: “Discussion Questions” and “Additional Resources” (materials). These materials are available for use with permission from the Denton Public Library. “Discussion Questions” are a set of questions designated to facilitate group discussion; “Additional Resources” consists of a set of resources for further exploration of the topic covered by the article.

Use of Denton Public Library’s materials is not required for participation in the Stirpes Study Group. TxSGS encourages participating organizations to create their own discussion questions or resources based on the articles to meet the needs of their Study Group participants.

Use of the Articles and Materials

  1. Permitted Use:
    • The provided articles and materials are for the exclusive use of the study group participants for educational purposes within the study group during scheduled meetings.
    • Participants may print one copy of the article and materials for their personal use.
    • Participants are encouraged to read the article, engage in discussions, and utilize the materials for personal education and research.
  1. Restrictions on Distribution:
    • Study Group participants must register in advance with the sponsoring organization; the sponsoring organization manages materials distribution and study group meetings.
    • The selected article may not be copied, distributed, or shared outside the study group.
    • The materials may not be copied, distributed, or shared beyond study group participants without explicit written permission from the Denton Public Library.
    • Digital copies may be downloaded and distributed to the study group participants via a secure, password-protected platform or by direct email to the registered study group participants. The password to TxSGS’s Study Group library may not be distributed. Only the Study Group Leader is allowed access to the Study Group library on the TxSGS website.
    • Digital or physical reproduction of the article for purposes beyond the study group’s activities is prohibited.
    • These materials may not be published on any publicly available website or platform.
    • Study group participants are not allowed to share the materials with non-participants or post them online.
  1. Respect for Copyright:
    • Respect the intellectual property rights of the authors and Stirpes. Do not alter, excerpt, or republish any part of the article without authorization.
    • Creating derivative works based on the article (such as presentations or translations) is not permitted without prior written permission of TxSGS. Creating derivative works based on the materials is not permitted without prior written permission of the Denton Public Library.
    • Audio or video recording of study group discussions is not permitted whether the meeting is held in person or virtually. Meetings may not be recorded for later playback or streaming.
  1. Authorization for Use:
    • Any request for the use of the articles outside the scope of the study group (e.g., for presentations or educational programs) must be submitted to TxSGS for approval. Any request for the use of the materials outside the scope of the study group must be submitted to the Denton Public Library for approval.

Guidelines for Study Group Management

  1. Meeting Conduct:
    • Meetings should be conducted in a respectful and inclusive manner, encouraging all participants to contribute to the discussion.
    • Participating organizations should ensure that the study group environment supports open dialogue and the sharing of a variety of perspectives.
  1. Group Leadership:
    • The study group should be led by a knowledgeable and enthusiastic individual who can facilitate discussions and keep the group focused on the topic.
    • The study group leader must ensure that all participants have read and understood the guidelines for using the articles and materials.
    • The study group leader is responsible for organizing meetings, distributing materials, and guiding the discussion based on the provided questions and resources.
  1. Follow-Up Actions:
    • After each meeting, participants should be encouraged to provide feedback on the discussion and meeting format.
    • The study group leader should compile notes from the discussion to help guide future meetings and ensure continuous improvement of the study group experience.
    • Periodically provide feedback to TxSGS using the Stirpes Study Group form. A link to the form will be provided when the participating organization requests access to Stirpes Study Group materials.

The study group facilitator for the sponsoring organization will be asked to acknowledge their understanding of these guidelines when they request access to the Stirpes Study Group Materials.

Email memberinfo@txsgs.org to request access.

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