Forwarding on behalf of Seth Young at Harvard's Berkman Center
(*Apologies for Cross-Posting*)
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Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet & Society and eIFL.net Launch
"Copyright for Librarians," an Online Open Curriculum on Copyright Law
March 24, 2010 - Cambridge, Mass., and Rome, Italy - The Berkman Center
for Internet & Society at Harvard University today announced the launch
of a new online, open access curriculum, "Copyright for Librarians"
(http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/copyrightforlibrarians/), developed in
conjunction with eIFL.net. "Copyright for Librarians" aims to inform
librarians about copyright law in general, as well as the aspects of
copyright law that most affect libraries, especially those in developing
and transition countries.
"Copyright law directly affects library services providing access to
learning resources, scientific and research information," said Rima
Kupryte, Director eIFL.net. "Everyday librarians are managing
information and responding to requests from students, academics, and
members of the public. They are well placed to provide practical advice
on topical copyright-related issues. This curriculum, which includes
modules on the scope of copyright law, exceptions and limitations and
managing rights, provides librarians from around the world with an
opportunity to understand this important area of law."
"Librarians and their professional organisations play key roles in
shaping national and international copyright policy and in protecting
and promoting access to knowledge," said William Fisher, faculty
director of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society, "eIFL.net has
created a crucial network of librarians in developing and transition
countries. It is essential that the members of that network have the
fullest possible understanding, not just of the current copyright laws,
but also of the ways in which those laws could and should be interpreted
and modified in the future. We hope that this curriculum will help to
advance that understanding."
"Maximising access to educational and learning materials is critical for
development in Africa," said Benson Njobvu, University of Zambia.
"Teaching students about legal information issues enhances the role of
the librarian, preparing the next generation for a professional career
in the digital age. We aim to produce librarians who will become
well-informed advocates for access to knowledge. "Copyright for
Librarians" is a valuable new resource that will help us to achieve our
goal."
The course materials of "Copyright for Librarians" -- nine modules
organised into five different levels -- can be used as the basis for a
self-taught course, a traditional classroom-based course, or as a
distance-learning course. For more information and access to the course
materials, visit: http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/copyrightforlibrarians/
eIFL.net is grateful to the Ford Foundation for their support of the
development of "Copyright for Librarians."
Further information:
Rima Kupryte, Director
eIFL.net
Piazza Mastai 9
00153 Rome, Italy
Tel: +(39)(06)5807216/17
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
http://www.eifl.net/
Seth Young
Communications
Berkman Center for Internet & Society
Harvard University
Tel: +1.617.384.9135
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
http://cyber.law.harvard.edu
Notes for Editors
eIFL.net is an independent non-profit organization with a global network
spanning 46 developing and transition countries and thousands of
libraries. eIFL.net brings access to knowledge to library users in
developing and transition countries by building capacity, supporting
advocacy and helping to introduce new services for the user, as well as
affordable access to e-resources.
About the Berkman Center for Internet & Society
The Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University is a
research program founded to explore cyberspace, share in its study, and
help pioneer its development. Founded in 1997, through a generous gift
from Jack N. and Lillian R. Berkman, the Center is home to an
ever-growing community of faculty, fellows, staff, and affiliates
working on projects that span the broad range of intersections between
cyberspace, technology, and society. More information can be found at
http://cyber.law.harvard.edu.
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The Berkman Center for Internet & Society --
http://cyber.law.harvard.edu -- exploring cyberspace, sharing in its
study, and helping pioneer its development
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