Greetings Colleagues, I trust you're well. As you recall, the HBCU Library Alliance Digital Initiative Committee, chaired and co-chaired by Dr. Janice Franklin and Cedric Davis, Alabama State University, has re-engaged to plot future directions of the HBCU Library Digital Initiative. Twenty-three participating institutions have contributed more than 16,000 images of founding documents to the HBCU Library Alliance Digital Collection. Follow this link http://hbcudigitallibrary.auctr.edu/ to access the unique collection. The Digital Initiative Committee began its work by distributing a survey to the membership in September 2016 to gather information regarding interest, needs and concerns related to the Initiative. Survey responses will guide and inform Board action and support of the Initiative. Dr. Franklin and Cedric Davis presented an overview of the project and survey findings at the October Membership Meeting in Atlanta. A key survey finding was the need for training on the complexity of copyright issues. In response to that training need, the Navigating Copyright in Collaborative Digitization Projects webinar is scheduled on Tuesday, January 31, 2:00 ET. Read below for more information and the registration link. Navigating Copyright in Collaborative Digitization Projects, Tuesday, January 31, 2:00-3:00 ET Abstract: With the advance of technology, libraries are shifting how they fulfill their mission to provide access to information by digitizing and distributing online unique materials within their collections. But as stewards of cultural heritage materials, libraries often do not own or control the copyright in the materials they seek to digitize. To ensure libraries can fulfill their mission within the limits of the law, they must determine if they have the legal rights to digitize and distribute content. Navigating this complex process without formal legal training can be an anxiety-inducing task for some librarians. This webinar will empower librarians to evaluate the legal implications of digitizing their collections by exploring the basic elements of copyright law, including duration of copyright protection and applicable exemptions within that law. It will also explore other legal implications that may arise in digitization practices around issues of privacy, obscenity, and contractual obligations. Take Aways: * Participants will understand the basic principles of US Copyright Law, including rules of ownership, duration of copyright protection, fair use, and the section 108 exemption for libraries * Participants will learn how to evaluate the copyright implications in digitizing and collaboratively distributing materials from their respective collections * Participants will learn when and how to seek permission for use of copyright protected materials * Participants will be aware of the other legal implications involved in collaborative digitization efforts Instructor: Melanie T. Kowalski joined the Emory University Libraries' Scholarly Communications Office in September 2011. In her current role as the Copyright & Scholarly Communications Librarian, Melanie consults with faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates regarding copyright law and their teaching or research. Additionally, she serves on the Emory Libraries Digital Collections Steering Committee's Selection Committee, assessing digitization proposals from stakeholders for copyright implications. Melanie has research interests in copyright, open access, data management, network neutrality, orphan works, and digital libraries. She has a BS in Sociology from Vanderbilt University and an MLIS from Kent State University. Before accepting her position at Emory, Melanie completed internships with the University of Akron School of Law and the Sherwin-Williams Company, focusing on intellectual property and research. You can follow her on Twitter at @MelanieKowalski<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttp://www.twitter.com/melaniekowalski%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;ust%3D1485270550879000%26amp;usg%3DAFQjCNGGz3QJ071xYzKV2E4eq6RYMsKuMg&sa=D&ust=1485270550886000&usg=AFQjCNECf9yijvsJsU_2cc_2IOVHWKzHOg>. Registration: Paste this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JMV6CDP into your address bar and register no later than Friday, January 27th. The registration link will be forwarded on Monday, January 30th. Stay tuned! Sandra SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org/ sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org%3cmailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org>> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/