Todorova et al. (2017)
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Source Details
Todorova et al. (2017) | |
Title: | Information professionals and copyright literacy: a multinational study |
Author(s): | Todorova, T. Y., Kurbanoglu, S., Boustany, J., Dogan, G., Saunders, L., Horva, A., Terra, A. L., Landøy, A., Repanovici, A., Morrison, C., Vanderkast, E. J. S., Secker, J., Rudzioniene, J., Kortelainen, T., Koltay, T. |
Year: | 2017 |
Citation: | Tania Yordanova Todorova, Serap Kurbanoglu, Joumana Boustany, Güleda Dogan, Laura Saunders,Aleksandra Horvat, Ana Lúcia Terra, Ane Landøy, Angela Repanovici, Chris Morrison, Egbert J.Sanchez Vanderkast, Jane Secker, Jurgita Rudzioniene, Terttu Kortelainen, Tibor Koltay, (2017) Information professionals and copyright literacy: a multinational study. Library Management, 38(6/7), pp.323-344 |
Link(s): | Open Access |
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Discipline: | |
Linked by: | Hossain (2021) |
About the Data | |
Data Description: | Data were gathered via an online survey of library and information science professionals across 13 countries. The survey was designed to examine the professionals’ understanding and opinions of copyright-related issues, and consisted of a mix of closed-ended Likert-scale questions and open-ended questions. The survey received 1,926 responses. |
Data Type: | Primary data |
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Cross Country Study?: | Yes |
Comparative Study?: | Yes |
Literature review?: | No |
Government or policy study?: | No |
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Abstract
“Purpose–The purpose of this paper is to present findings from a multinational survey on copyright literacy of specialists from libraries and other cultural institutions.
Design/methodology/approach–This paper is based on a multinational survey of copyright literacy competencies of Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals and those who work in the cultural heritage sector (archives and museums), conducted in 13 countries, namely Bulgaria (BG), Croatia (CR), Finland(FI), France (FR), Hungary (HU), Lithuania (LT), Mexico (MX), Norway (NO), Portugal (PT), Romania (RO),Turkey (TR), UK and USA in the period July 2013-March 2015. An online survey instrument was developed in order to collect data from professionals regarding their familiarity with, knowledge and awareness of and opinions on copyright-related issues."
Findings–Findings of this study highlight gaps in existing knowledge of copyright, and information about the level of copyright literacy of LIS and cultural sector professionals. Also attitudes toward copyright learning content in academic education and continuing professional development training programs are investigated.
Originality/value–This study aimed to address a gap in the literature by encompassing specialists from the cultural institutions in an international comparative context. The paper offers guidance for further understanding of copyright in a wider framework of digital and information literacy; and for the implementation of copyright policy, and the establishment of copyright advisor positions in cultural institutions. The recommendations support a revision of academic and continuing education programs learning curriculum and methods.”
Main Results of the Study
The study finds that overall knowledge of copyright-related issues is poor, with only 30.1% of respondents reporting “moderate” awareness and 30.1% being “somewhat” aware (and only 9.1% reporting extreme awareness). In particular, less than 50% of respondents reported familiarity with copyright related issues with digitisation. Nonetheless, interest in copyright is high, with nearly half of all respondents noting either moderate or extreme levels of interest. To this end, over 80% of respondents reported the need for institutional-level copyright policies, and 71% believe copyright training should be introduced at undergraduate courses in their areas.Differences in literacy are apparent at multinational level. France, USA, UK, Lithuania, Turkey and Portugal are most familiar with copyright-related issues and solutions, whereas Bulgaria, Coratia, Lithuania, Romania and Mexico report the lowest levels of knowledge. In particular, the USA and UK are noted as world-leaders in this area, with most respondents from these countries benefitting from copyright advice from specialists (53% and 65% respectively).
Policy Implications as Stated By Author
The study highlights the need to improve the copyright literacy of library and information science professionals. The authors suggest this may be achieved by implementing institution-level copyright policies, creating specialist positions for copyright advisors, and integrating copyright training into undergraduate curriculums for professional library and information educational courses.
Coverage of Study
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