PSU Libraries Copyright and Scholarly Communications Workshops Open to All!
This fall, Penn State Libraries will be offering online workshops open to all students, faculty, staff and the public. They will cover topics concerning copyright issues for theses and dissertations, open access publishing, and fair use beginning Oct. 7th.
Penn State encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact copyright@psu.edu in advance of your participation or visit.
Below is a list of their upcoming Zoom workshops, register at www.psu.edu/news/university-libraries/story/libraries-announces-fall-2025-workshops-scholarly-communications
- Copyright and Your Thesis or Dissertation
- October 7, 2-3 pm EST
- Participants will work in small groups to address hypothetical copyright questions and then debrief their responses as a full group.
- Copyright and Open Access Publishing
- October 22, 2-3 pm EST
- Danielle Steinhart will provide a brief introduction to U.S. copyright law, open access publishing and Creative Commons licensing.
- Fair Use
- November 5, 2-3 pm EST
- Join Danielle Steinhart in this introductory workshop to learn more about U.S. copyright law’s fair use doctrine.
Accessibility Matters: Support for Department of Justice Ruling on Course Content Accessibility
The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued updated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidance for web, app, and content accessibility that affects all public entities, including Penn State. Course content and electronic documents that are shared online, with or without a password, are subject to this ruling. The DOJ's deadline for ensuring the accessibility of such digital content is April 24, 2026. Read more about the ruling at IT Accessibility's Department of Justice Rule High Level Summary website
The Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence offers the following ways to assist you in preparing your accessible course documents. Read more about them and register at https://www.schreyerinstitute.psu.edu/events
- Accessible Syllabus Templates
- Accessibility and Belonging: Course Documents
- Accessibility & Belonging: Pedagogical Strategies
- Universal Design for Learning
- Accessibility Kaltura Playlist: https://tinyurl.com/SITEAccessibilityPlaylist
Additionally, instructors at any location are welcome to participate in Commonwealth Campus Teaching Support Accessible Skills Challenge. In this 8-week program beginning September 15, participants receive a weekly email with instructions to complete one accessibility task a week. Visit https://commonwealthteaching.psu.edu/psu-resource/accessible-skills-challenge-weekly-email-with-task-to-make-your-course-accessible/ for more details and to sign up.
