Poster Board Number: 127
Title: Rethinking Copyright: Success of a Specialized Service
Objective: Copyright is a complex issue that educational faculty have to tackle on a regular basis. Faculty turned to the library to help with the university mandate regarding copyright concerns, especially using permissible images in course materials. Librarian skills and knowledge were a part of the solution, which has a direct impact on instruction.
Methods: The library approached this need systematically. The solution includes creating a specialized reference service, determining and documenting best processes, and educating faculty and administrative staff through presentations and the library website. The specialized reference service is a shared responsibility of a reference librarian and a half-time library school student. Many of the questions were about the use of images in digital presentations. The library began auditing the images and developing a database of resources to find permissible images. The knowledge gained through providing this service was essential in developing best practices and best processes. This knowledge was shared through a website and multiple presentations to faculty and educational staff. As faculty become aware of these services, the questions are expanding beyond images. The suite of services is now viewed by faculty as essential to instruction and research.
Results: Data collection and analysis of the survey is pending and will be taken into consideration in regard to maintaining or modifying the copyright services. However, discussions with faculty and staff show that the services are valued on campus and are a way for librarians to assist with as well as meet the curricular needs of faculty and staff.
Conclusion: Copyright previously was an area of confusion and concern on campus. The copyright services helped to address these issues, and the service has expanded to include non-image-based concerns. The service will continue to address the copyright on campus.
Authors: Amber Repp, Reference Image Assistant; Rienne Johnson, Reference Librarian; Beth Layton, AHIP, Director; Library; Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, Rootstown, OH
