Jordan,

This is good-hearted of you, but not a good idea legally. Since the
copyright laws were changed a few years ago, ALL published text, music, etc.
is automatically owned by someone and protected by copyright, unless there
is a disclaimer saying otherwise. Material remains under copyright for a
particular number of years that differs between the US and EU, and the
copyright can be renewed under some circumstances (e.g., if a new edition is
published). I think you're in the clear on either side of the Atlantic if
you copy material older than 1909 whose copyright has never been renewed,
but I'm not a lawyer.

You can make one copy for yourself for research purposes -- that's allowed.
Making copies for all your friends -- well, we appreciate the thought
anyway. Of course you can always try to hunt up the copyright owner and ask
for permission. If it's out of print, the owner might be pleased to have it
studied by new readers!

If there are any copyright lawyers listening in on Conch-L, now's the time
to speak up and have your fifteen minutes of fame.

Andrew K. Rindsberg
Geological Survey of Alabama