The University Information Policy Officers (UIPO), a group dedicated to supporting academic and research librarians in managing scholarly communications and copyright issues, has seen substantial growth in recent years. With over 100 members, the organization provides a confidential platform for librarians to collaborate on navigating the increasingly complex digital landscape.
Founded in 2008 under the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and spun out as an independent entity in 2020, UIPO officially became a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization last year. The group’s mission is to assist members in tackling the evolving challenges in scholarly communications, focusing heavily on issues related to copyright and information policy.
UIPO’s members, who work in academic and research libraries across the U.S. and Canada, rely on its listserv, webinars, and annual conference to stay informed and connected. The next conference will be held in St. Louis from May 21-23. As digital access to teaching materials has become essential, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, UIPO members played a key role in advocating for fair use in emergency remote teaching. This included drafting the Public Statement of Library Copyright Specialists which was endorsed by hundreds of library and academic professionals.
UIPO continues to operate as a volunteer-driven organization, maintaining a closed, candid space for library professionals. With members spanning 75+ institutions, the group is poised to continue providing valuable insights on evolving copyright issues in higher education.
For those interested in joining, UIPO offers an $85/year membership for individuals working in information policy roles within academic libraries.
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