How to educate your staff and community on copyright - popular eCourse returns

For Immediate Release
Tue, 12/18/2012

Contact:

Dan Freeman

Editor

ALA Online Resources (AOR)

(800) 545-2433 ext.5413

dfreeman@ala.org

CHICAGO — ALA Editions announces a new session of the popular facilitated eCourse Demystifying Copyright: How to Educate Your Staff and Community. Lesley Ellen Harris, a copyright, licensing and digital property lawyer who works with the information industry, will serve as instructor for this four week course, which begins on Feb. 4, 2013.

Libraries are hubs of content, not all of it purchased or licensed from traditional publishers. As libraries move into the roles of publisher, platform-provider or aggregator, making sure that your staff has basic knowledge of copyright is important. Following copyright best practices can protect your institution from cease-and-desist letters, time-draining threats and lawsuits. The first step is to develop an effective and practical copyright education plan.

Lesley Ellen Harris, an intellectual property attorney, has trained libraries, museums and corporations in copyright. In this four-week eCourse, she will guide you step by step through developing a copyright education program for your staff and community.

Topics covered in this course include:

  • Understanding the risks of copyright infringement and how to protect your library from lawsuits
  • Understanding the need for compliance under U.S. and global copyright law
  • Evaluating copyright issues in your library
  • Developing a copyright education plan
  • Assessing materials, content and technology in order to equip an instruction team for your institution
  • Keeping your educational program up to date

Registration for this ALA Editions facilitated eCourse, which begins on Feb. 4, 2013, can be purchased at the ALA Store. Participants in this course will need regular access to a computer with an Internet connection for online message board participation, viewing online video, listening to streaming audio (MP3 files), and downloading and viewing PDF and PowerPoint files.

ALA Editions publishes resources used worldwide by tens of thousands of library and information professionals to improve programs, build on best practices, develop leadership, and for personal professional development. ALA authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a growing range of print and electronic formats. Contact ALA Editions at (800) 545-2433 ext. 5418 or editionscoursehelp@ala.org.

ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness, and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide.