E-Resources during COVID-19: copyright and licensing issues

29 JUNE 2020

Overview

COVID-19 is rewriting the rules of engagement for interactions. It has changed everything in our lives, including the way we live, work and interact with each other. Social distancing, face masks, hand-washing with soap, staying indoors and avoiding crowded places are becoming the norm. The pandemic has caused many African governments to issue directives for the closure of public spaces including Libraries, as part measures to protect the lives of citizens and to stem the spread of the highly contagious disease.

Learning and information seeking are steadily transitioning online more than ever. But what happens to our physical libraries? How can they use the resources they have on their shelves to still provide information to their user communities? The increase in online library services provision requires an urgent need for digital library service providers to become familiar with copyright concerns that may arise, as well as alternatives to copyrighted works that can be freely be made available to library users, in these times. For more background information about Libraries, Copyright and Online Learning in the era of COVID-19, check a recent blog post published by EIFL here.

What?

Before we start reading story books on library shelves in online spaces for children, or planning virtual programmes that require the use those resources on the shelves or in our servers, we need find answers to the following questions:

• As a librarian do you know the copyright provisions for your country?
• What does the fair use principle entitle you to do with your library resources?
• What are the limitations and exceptions in the copyright laws in your country for libraries?

Get ready for the webinar titled “E-Resources during COVID-19: copyright and licensing issues” which is strategically packaged by AfLIA to equip African librarians with pertinent information on:

• How Copyright provisions can enhance or hinder the use of E-Resources to provide services during COVID-19 era?
• The provisions in different African countries vis-a-vis those in some European countries that enable them provide seamless digital services in this period
• The next steps in asking for better copyright limitations and exemptions in African countries.

Date: 14th July, 2020

Time: 11am GMT | 12 pm WAT | 2 pm EAT | 1 pm CAT |1 pm SAST

Registration

This is a free webinar and open to all library and information professionals. To register, click on button below;

Please read the section on Technical Requirements to help you prepare adequately for this webinar.

Speaker

Teresa Hackett

Copyright & Libraries Programme Manager | EIFL

Teresa Hackett, is the Copyright and Libraries Programme Manager at EIFL (Electronic Information for Libraries). Teresa has overseen the delivery of a unique copyright service for libraries in EIFL partner countries, the development of copyright resources in multiple languages and the provision of technical assistance on legislative matters.

At EIFL, Teresa has also helped to grow a dynamic network of specialist copyright libraries in over 30 countries, many of whom have achieved success in improving national laws. She participates in negotiations at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) for copyright laws that are consistent across borders and that recognize the public interest role of libraries, especially in the digital environment. She has also contributed to 19member states joining WIPO’s Marrakesh Treaty for persons with print disabilities.

Prior to joining EIFL, Teresa was Director of the European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations (EBLIDA), a consultant at the European Commission’s library research programme, and Electronic Information Services Manager at the British Council in Munich, Germany. From 2011-2015, Teresa was a member of IFLA’s Committee on Copyright and other Legal Matters.

Hackett has received awards for her work on Copyright issues for libraries. In 2018, she was awarded the IFLA Medal in recognition of distinguished contribution to IFLA and international librarianship, particularly in the field of copyright and enabling equal access to information. In 2015, Teresa was awarded a Flash Grant as an agent of social change by the Shuttleworth Foundation for her copyright work.

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Technical Requirements

Upon registration, reminders will be sent to all registrants periodically. This webinar will be hosted on Zoom Conferencing Platform. Participants, who do not have Zoom on their mobile devices and or computers, need to download, install and create an account on Zoom ahead of time (CLICK TO DOWNLOAD). Webinar attendees are encouraged to join early, preferably 15 minutes before the start of the webinar, as one may need time launch the application.

The speaker will use a webcam to connect with attendees. Audio and video for the session will be streamed over computer speakers. Attendees are therefore encouraged to connect with a headset or earpiece for maximum utility. Participants will be able to ask questions and interact with the presenters and other webinar participants via the Q&A and chat features in Zoom.

Webinar Materials

A list of resources and further information will made be available at the end of the webinar, to enable thorough engagement with the webinar content. All registrants will have access to the presentation slides as well as a link to a recording of the webinar so they can listen again at a convenient time.

Queries

For further enquiries and assistance about the webinar contact us at afliacomm@aflia.net. Bring this to the attention of your colleague librarians as well as those in the professional circles you belong to. It is free!!!