E-resource Management And Licensing Course

Introduction

In the digital age, managing e-resources effectively is crucial for libraries, educational institutions, and organizations to provide seamless access to digital content. E-Resource Management and Licensing are essential components of library services and information management. This course is designed to provide participants with a thorough understanding of how to manage, license, and optimize electronic resources in an information-rich environment. The course will cover various types of digital resources, the licensing process, and the best practices for maintaining and managing e-resources in a sustainable and legally compliant way.

Target Audience

This course is ideal for:

• Librarians: who manage digital collections and e-resources in libraries and institutions.
• Information managers: who are responsible for handling e-resources, ensuring access and maintaining licenses.
• Library and information science students: who wish to specialize in managing electronic resources.
• Digital content managers: seeking to optimize licensing, distribution, and access to e-resources.
• Educators: who are involved in teaching or training others on digital content and e-resources management.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the landscape of e-resource management: Gain insight into the various types of digital content and their relevance to libraries and institutions.
• Navigate the licensing process: Learn how to interpret and manage e-resource licenses, including terms of use, restrictions, and renewals.
• Evaluate and select e-resources: Develop skills in selecting appropriate e-resources that meet the needs of your users or organization.
• Establish e-resource policies: Learn to develop policies and procedures for acquiring, managing, and providing access to digital content.
• Ensure compliance and legal adherence: Understand the legal considerations, including copyright laws, digital rights management, and fair use policies.
• Optimize e-resource access: Learn to manage access points, authentication protocols, and delivery methods for efficient resource utilization.
• Use e-resource management tools and platforms: Gain hands-on experience with software tools and systems used for e-resource tracking, monitoring, and access management.
• Plan for sustainability: Learn strategies for managing the long-term viability of e-resources, ensuring ongoing access, and integrating new technologies.

This course will empower participants to manage digital resources efficiently, maintain compliance with licensing terms, and optimize access to e-resources, enabling them to serve users better and contribute to the long-term sustainability of digital collections.

DURATION

5 Days

COURSE CONTENT

Introduction to E-Resource Management

• Overview of e-resources in libraries and educational institutions
• Types of digital content: e-books, journals, databases, multimedia, and open-access resources
• Importance of e-resource management in the digital age

Understanding Licensing in the Digital Environment

• What is a license and why is it important?
• Key terms and conditions in licensing agreements
• Types of licenses (subscription, perpetual access, pay-per-view, etc.)

Legal and Ethical Aspects of E-Resource Licensing

• Copyright and intellectual property laws
• Fair use and digital rights management (DRM)
• Licensing for electronic databases and multimedia

E-Resource Acquisition: Best Practices

• Approaches to selecting e-resources
• Understanding user needs and content evaluation
• Negotiation tactics and vendor selection

Types of E-Resources and Licensing Models

• Subscription-based vs. perpetual licenses
• Pay-per-use and open-access models
• Hybrid models and their implications

Managing E-Resource Access and Authentication

• Access management protocols (IP-based, password-protected, federated access)
• Integrating access through Single Sign-On (SSO)
• Authentication methods and tools

Digital Rights Management (DRM) and Security

• Defining DRM and its role in e-resource management
• Managing e-resource security and privacy
• Protection strategies for digital content

E-Resource Usage Statistics and Reporting

• Importance of usage data in decision-making
• Tools for tracking and reporting e-resource usage
• Analyzing usage statistics to inform purchasing decisions

Building an E-Resource Collection: Strategies and Frameworks

• Collection development strategies for digital resources
• Managing content diversity: balancing between paid, licensed, and open-access resources
• Assessing the impact of digital content on users

Licensing Terms and Conditions: Understanding the Fine Print

• Interpreting licenses: Access rights, restrictions, and renewals
• Termination clauses and their implications
• The role of license renewals in maintaining access to digital resources

E-Resource Management Tools and Systems

• Introduction to Integrated Library Systems (ILS) and Electronic Resource Management (ERM) systems
• Tools for cataloging, tracking, and managing e-resources
• Best practices for integrating management systems into existing workflows

E-Resource Budgeting and Financial Management

• Understanding the financial implications of licensing agreements
• Cost-per-use calculations and ROI in e-resource management
• Managing budgets and negotiating better deals with vendors

Troubleshooting and Resolving Access Issues

• Common access problems and troubleshooting steps
• Working with vendors to resolve issues
• Ensuring uninterrupted service for users

Sustainability and Long-Term Management of E-Resources

• Strategies for maintaining access to digital content over time
• Backup systems and digital preservation
• Addressing challenges related to format migration and data integrity

Future Trends in E-Resource Management and Licensing

• Emerging technologies and trends in e-resource management (e.g., Blockchain, AI)
• The role of open-access and digital repositories
• Preparing for future shifts in digital content delivery and licensing models

These modules will provide a comprehensive understanding of e-resource management, licensing best practices, and the tools and strategies needed to ensure efficient, legal, and sustainable management of digital content in libraries and other institutions.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 5 working days before commencement of the training.