Copyright Awareness In The Digital Age: An Exploratory Study Of Chief Librarians' Knowledge And Understanding

Abstract

Purpose – To assess the awareness and preparedness of copyright related matters among the Chief/Head librarians of the public and private sector universities situated in the geographic area of Punjab and the federal area was the purpose of the current study. The study also focuses ondiscovering the favorite information sources, the participants use to refresh their knowledge concerningcopyright laws and issues.

Methodology –A quantitative approach was used in the current study. Data was collected through a questionnaire. The population consisted of the Chief/Head librarians of public and private sector universities of Punjab and the federal area. The data was analyzed by using the software SPSS, descriptively.

Findings – The outcomes of the present study indicates that the awareness level of the respondents was moderate and it needs to be improved extens[1]ively. It was also learned from the study that the participants lack the training to deal with the copyright related issues faced in the libraries. The study also illustrated that social media was the source of information that was mostly used by the participants to enhance their knowledge regarding copyright issues.

Limitations – The present research study deals only with the Head librarians of universities of Punjab and the Federal area, consequently, its results cannot be applied to the library professionals all over Pakistan.

Practical Implications – the current research will assist in knowing the understanding and awareness level of the chief/head librarians about copyright related issues/laws. The study will also convince the management of the universities to provide training opportunities to the librarians relating to copyright issues.