Copyright 101 – Description of Activity
Content: Copyright law, both in general, and specific to libraries
Type: Online course.
Length: 6 hours to complete the 4 Modules of the Course.
Level: Librarians
Organiser: ALIA
Format: Online course with 4 Modules of content. At the end of each Module, a Quiz must be completed with 100% accuracy, though multiple attempts are allowed.
The main objective of the course is to provide librarians with a practical understanding of copyright, particularly within the context of the provision of library services. My primary reason for attending the course is to maintain working knowledge of copyright, as it pertains to my role and responsibilities. The secondary reason is to complete ALIA-accredited CPD, to provide evidence of my professional development.
Copyright is of significant importance in several areas of my role as Campus Librarian for a HE provider. The library facility provides staff and students with access to materials subject to copying, and the means by which they can copy: PCs, printers, photocopiers, and scanners. Therefore, I need to ensure that there is appropriate signage to protect my organisation for legal responsibility if our clients infringe copyright. Part of my role is also providing advice to students, and I need to understand and communicate copyright standards, particularly as it relates to plagiarism. I’m also required to provide services to academics that require understanding of and adherence to copyright law, specifically Document Delivery. Furthermore, my responsibilities include advising Academics on copyright law, particularly as it relates to sharing content, in the classroom, in published course content, and on subject discussion loops. Part of responsibility is also searching for infringements of copyright on subject content and issuing take-down notices to staff and/or students responsibly for infringements.
The course was useful in that it refreshed my knowledge of copyright, which is an ever evolving system, particularly in Australia. Rapidly evolving technology means that copyright law also evolves. There were some points that I was not aware, and found very interesting, notably, exceptions provided to those with disabilities, and, something that was very useful: the 4 different types of exceptions in Creative Commons. I now know what CC BY-ND-SA 4.0 actually means!
I will use the information from the course to provide advice for my clients, ensure that my facilities and processes adhere to copyright law, and, most important, support our academics in providing quality educational content that adheres to both academic integrity and copyright law.
