The Library Internal Quality Assurance Cell (LQAC) of University of Ruhuna organised a workshop on “Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Library Services” on 5 November 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Main Library, University of Ruhuna.
The workshop was designed for Library Information Assistants, with the participation of 15 staff members representing the Main Library and 05 faculty libraries of the University. It aimed to enhance participants’ knowledge and understanding of intellectual property rights, copyright regulations, and their practical implications for the delivery of library services.
Mr. J. A. Ajith, Senior Assistant Librarian of University of Ruhuna, served as the resource person at the workshop, sharing his knowledge and experiance on intellectual property and copyright matters relevant to library operations.
The programme focused particularly on the Intellectual Property Act of Sri Lanka and the concept of fair use in the context of library operations. Key areas discussed included Reader Services, Reference Services, Legal Deposit, and Institutional Repositories, highlighting the importance of understanding copyright provisions when providing access to, reproducing, sharing, preserving, and managing information resources.
The workshop also provided an opportunity to consider the responsibilities of library personnel in ensuring that library services and information-sharing practices comply with relevant intellectual property and copyright requirements. Particular attention was given to the balance between protecting the rights of copyright holders and facilitating legitimate access to information for educational, research, and scholarly purposes.
Ms. Sakunthala Senevirathna, Senior Assistant Librarian, University of Ruhuna, coordinated the workshop as part of the Library’s ongoing efforts to strengthen staff competencies and improve the quality of library services.
