Copyright and Ethical Reuse in Open Access Digital Libraries
In January and February 2026, the Digital Library of the Caribbean (dLOC) presents a workshop series focused on copyright, digitization, oral history and ethical approaches to digital libraries. The workshops, supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, offer dLOC partners and cultural heritage professionals, educators, and scholars globally, an introduction to copyright questions and ethics. Discussions, featuring cultural heritage and legal professionals, are moderated and facilitated by Perry Collins, University of Florida Libraries and dLOC affiliated copyright expert. Each session will address best practices for making collections available, assessing risk in a complex international landscape, and building community through the lens of Caribbean cultural heritage. The series concludes with a session on Open Educational Resources (OER) led by dLOC team member and OER specialist, Tania M. Ríos Marrero, that highlights OER created for and available on dLOC.
Evaluating Rights Before You Scan
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
11am-12pm Eastern (Miami)
What to consider before digitization, including whether or not materials are protected by copyright, who holds the rights, and when to seek permission. Experts Melissa Jerome (Latin American and Caribbean Collections, University of Florida) and Rachel Deblinger (Modern Endangered Archives Program, University of California-Los Angeles) will share their perspectives.
Recording coming soon!
Crafting a Copyright Statement
Friday, February 6, 2026
11am-12pm Eastern (Miami)
How to communicate important information to educators, scholars, and students seeking to use digital collections. Experts Laura Perry (University of Florida) and Kezia Bacchus (University of Guyana) will share real-world examples and give information on how to craft rights metadata for dLOC.
Legal & Ethical Oral Histories
Thursday, February 12, 2026
11am-12pm Eastern (Miami)
Documenting permissions and communicating rights to interviewees, as well as navigating rights in older collections of oral histories. Experts Arnetta Girardeu (UNC-Charlotte) and Christina Boyles (University of Indiana-Bloomington) will share common challenges and facilitate discussion of ongoing work in the field.
OER in Caribbean Studies
Friday, February 27, 2026
11am-12pm Eastern (Miami)
Over three years (2023–2026), the OER in Caribbean Studies program supported multiple cohorts of educators in creating openly licensed teaching materials that center Caribbean histories, cultures, languages, and lived experiences.
This session features a curated showcase of the materials created through the program, with educators offering brief reflections on how open licensing expands possibilities for reuse, adaptation, translation, and circulation across institutional, national, and linguistic boundaries.
A facilitated conversation with program participants and OER Advisory Committee members will explore shared themes across projects, including how openness influences teaching practices and the role of digital libraries and shared infrastructure–such as dLOC–in supporting collaborative approaches to Caribbean studies. The session will conclude with audience Q&A and ways for engaging with the featured resources.
Visit our past workshop series here.
