Exploring Copyright: A case study in practical copyright education for college educators

An accelerated transition from in-person to online learning at Centennial College, an art and applied technology college in Toronto, Ontario, was catalyzed by the pandemic starting in early 2020. This change led to a significant rise in copyright inquiries to the library's copyright office, highlighting an immediate need for enhanced copyright education and support for effective application of copyright knowledge in online teaching environments. In response to this need, the Exploring Copyright series was created by the library's copyright librarian. This outer-space themed series consisted of eight copyright “missions” tailored for faculty and staff involved in online teaching and course development. The series was presented online in sessions delivered every other week over the course of a semester. The material was subsequently compiled into a course environment with asynchronous modules and resources. This paper will explore the evidence-based development, initial delivery, and evaluation of the Exploring Copyright series. It will examine how this initiative complemented the existing copyright literacy programs at Centennial College, addressing the evolving needs of the academic community. Copyright education and outreach professionals in higher education may find this approach particularly useful. The Exploring Copyright series offered a flexible, community-driven model for adapting copyright education to suit a rapidly changing online environment.