Managing Intellectual Property in Digital Libraries

Abstract

The advent of digital libraries has revolutionized dissemination and utilization of information in this modern age. However, intellectual property constitutes a major barrier to the development of digital libraries. This chapter examines the roles of digital librarians in the management of intellectual property, especially copyright, in digital libraries. Digital librarians are expected to safeguard intellectual property in digital libraries by controlling the utilisation of copyrighted information resources and educating their user communities on the copyright status of information resources. The need for digital librarians to increase their digital collections through digitization and partnership with other digital libraries is also discussed.