Copyright Literacy of Library and Information Science Students in the United States

Abstract

Copyright has an impact on nearly every aspect of the information professions, from developing collections to creating local policy and educating patrons. Given the apparent importance of copyright to information professionals, it is crucial that librarians and other information professionals be prepared for copyright-related responsibilities through their degree programs and that they be comfortable in their knowledge of copyright issues. However, there is limited research on the copyright literacy of librarians, relying mostly on their self-perceptions of their copyright literacy, and virtually no research on the copyright knowledge or training of LIS students. The current study expands upon previous research by surveying LIS students to determine how familiar they believe they are with certain copyright topics, and to explore their subjective sense of professional preparation with regard to copyright law and practice. The results of this study will be of interest to library managers interested in the copyright knowledge and preparation of emerging professionals and might also inform curricular decisions for LIS programs interested in ensuring adequate preparation for their students.