April 26th is World Intellectual Property Day and the theme this year is celebrating innovative, creative and enterprising women around the world.

In honor of this important day, we are happy to introduce to you our first ever Copyright Librarian: Katherine Roth.

1. What is your name and title? Librarian Katherine Roth

My name is Katherine Roth and I am the Copyright Librarian at Leatherby Libraries.

2. In what department of the Leatherby Libraries do you work?

I work in the Research and Instructional Services department.

3. How long have you been at Chapman University?

I started in March 2023.

4. What is your job in a nutshell and what do you think your contributions as the first ever Copyright Librarian at Chapman University will be? 

In a nutshell, my job as copyright librarian is to support and develop best practices within and for the Leatherby Libraries that will ensure copyright compliance in light of the evolving and complicated nature of copyright law. My role is to work with the Legal Affairs Department to anticipate and help prevent any potential copyright infringement scenarios. Additionally, I will undertake librarianship responsibilities such as instruction, reference and collection development.

5. Have you held any jobs at other universities or libraries?

This is my inaugural librarian position. I worked as an undergraduate Interlibrary Loan assistant at the UCLA Law Library.

6. What are your passions/interests outside of work?

I enjoy spending time with my family, watching movies, and reading. Additionally, I am a big fan of  classical music. I grew up playing the viola in different orchestras and I am currently teaching my kids the piano.

7. Where did you get your degree?

I received my BA from UCLA, JD from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles and MLIS from San Jose State University.

8. Where is your hometown?

San Diego, CA.

9. What is the last book you read, or the last book you loved?

She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb.

10. Can you tell us more about your background as a lawyer?

I have always been drawn to public service and public interest work. When I was practicing law, the majority of my work focused on conservatorships and elder law. A conservatorship is a legal process where a person is appointed to manage the personal and financial matters of an incapacitated adult.

11. Why is a Copyright librarian important for academic universities?  

Copyright law can be very nuanced and fact-dependent, and in any library, especially an academic research library, copyright is an inevitable issue. The answers to copyright questions can be difficult to determine and different courts may rule differently about the same situation. The law is in flux and still evolving. Having a copyright librarian who primarily specializes in copyright helps alleviate some stress from library staff.  It also helps protect the parent organization even more from inadvertent copyright infringement and litigation. 

To learn more about World Intellectual Property Day, Katherine and our student employees curated a display with the bibliography being found here.