Library News

Has your team ever been asked for permission to reproduce or adapt your content? Do you want to ensure proper credit is given when your work is shared?

Creative Commons (CC) licensing could be the solution.

Creative Commons is a global, nonprofit system that offers open licences for creative works. There are six types of CC licences, each allowing different levels of sharing, copying, and adaptation. All licences require attribution to the original creator.

Nova Scotia Health teams now have the option to assign Creative Commons licences to their work!

This change follows the example set by the Nova Scotia Health Policy Office, which publishes new policies under a CC licence, and is inspired by Alberta Health Services which has successfully used CC licensing for several years.

To retain control over how your content is used, we recommend choosing one of the two most restrictive CC licences:

• CC BY-NC-SA (Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike)
  Allows others to reuse or adapt your work for noncommercial purposes providing they credit you and share any changes under the same license.
• CC BY-NC-ND (Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives)
  Allows others to share your work for noncommercial purposes with proper credit, but no changes or adaptations are allowed.

Want to learn more?

Visit the Creative Commons subject guide for information on:

• Why choose Creative Commons? Learn how it can increase collaboration and extend the impact of Nova Scotia Health’s work locally, nationally, and globally.
• Considerations before assigning CC licences, including the need for leadership approval.
• How to select the right CC licence for your content.
• Licensing Statements/Disclaimers, approved by Nova Scotia Health Legal Services.
• Support Tools, including a customizable licence tracking spreadsheet, infographics, templates for Word and PowerPoint, and a helpful FAQ section.

Ready to get started or have questions?

• Email us at copyright@nshealth.ca
• Book a one-on-one consultation
• Request a Custom Education Session for your team

Roxanne MacMillan

Librarian Educator
Halifax Infirmary, Central Zone

Copyright law gives content creators the right to determine how their work can (and cannot) be used by other people. Content creators can communicate this by assigning terms of use.

When you visit a website, the copyright terms of use are often hidden in the fine print. Check the footer, header or side bar for language such as:

• Terms of Use
• Terms of Service
• Terms and Conditions
• Legal

Terms of use outline:

• How you can use the site’s content
• What permissions you need
• Any restrictions that apply

It's crucial to read these terms carefully to avoid any legal issues and respect the rights of content creators. Even if you don’t see terms of use, you should always assume that the content is protected by copyright.

Watch our newest Copyright Minute video to learn more about copyright terms of use and how to navigate them effectively!

Questions? Contact us at Copyright@nshealth.ca.

Lana MacEachern

Library Technician
Pictou/Colchester-East Hants/Cumberland Region

Roxanne MacMillan

Librarian Educator
Halifax Infirmary, Central Zone

What do Wicked, Sherlock and West Side Story have in common? They’re all possible because the works they are based on are in the public domain. That means copyright on the original works has expired, so they can be freely adapted. L. Frank Baum’s novel, The Wizard of Oz, Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories and Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, essentially belong to the public*.

We get a lot of questions about the term ‘public domain.’ It is commonly believed that anything that is publicly available (such as content on the Internet) is in the public domain. In fact, most online content is protected by copyright.

Just because you can read or download a resource, that doesn’t mean you can adapt it, reproduce it, or share copies with others. Before doing so, you must always read the terms of use provided by the copyright owner or determine if a copyright exception (such as Fair Dealing) applies to your intended use.

Watch our short video to learn more:

If you have questions about copyright:

• visit our Copyright subject guide
• learn more about copyright in a custom training session for your team
• book an appointment with a Library Services' team member, or
• reach out to us at Copyright@nshealth.ca.

*Note: Only the original works are in the public domain. Newer adaptations or translations are likely to be copyright protected.

Lana MacEachern

Library Technician
Pictou/Colchester-East Hants/Cumberland Region

Roxanne MacMillan

Librarian Educator
Halifax Infirmary, Central Zone

Anatomy images are a valuable tool for sharing information in health care. They can help explain a procedure to a patient or teach a provider a new skill.

Finding a cost-free, copyright-compliant anatomy image that serves your needs can be challenging. Library Services recommends starting your search with the following resources, accessible through Library Services' Databases A-Z list and the Copyright subject guide:

• AnatomyTOOL
• Anatomy.tv

AnatomyTOOL

AnatomyTOOL (Topic Oriented Open Learning) is a platform that provides open-access materials for teaching and learning anatomy. It includes a collection of anatomy images that may be downloaded. Most are in the public domain or have Creative Commons licenses.

How to Find and Use Images in AnatomyTOOL:

For assistance using AnatomyTOOL, book a consultation with a Librarian Educator.

Anatomy.tv

Anatomy.tv is a multimedia resource featuring a robust collection of interactive 3D models of human anatomy. It is a subscription-based resource published and maintained by Teton Data Systems (TDS Health). Library Services provides access to Anatomy.tv for Nova Scotia Health staff and physicians.

You can customize Anatomy.tv images by:

• Rotating them
• Adding or removing anatomical layers
• Highlighting anatomical structures
• Adding labels

Nova Scotia Health staff and physicians may download Anatomy.tv images and use them for educational purposes, including:

• printed or digital course packs and other educational materials
• LMS courses
• presentations
• patient education materials (including patient pamphlets)

When using Anatomy.tv images, you must acknowledge the source and retain the copyright information (Primal Pictures logo) embedded on the downloaded image file.

How to Find and Use Images in Anatomy.tv:

For assistance using Anatomy.tv:

• Visit the Anatomy.tv help page.
• Book a consultation with a Librarian Educator.
• Check our Learning Opportunities calendar for regularly offered Anatomy.tv education sessions.

You can find links to these and other trusted image sources on the Copyright subject guide’s Using Images page. If you have questions about using images in your content, please contact us at Copyright@nshealth.ca.

Lana MacEachern

Library Technician
Pictou/Colchester-East Hants/Cumberland Region

Q: I am adapting a Nova Scotia Health form and want to include an image that is used in the existing version of the form. The image is not cited, and I don’t know where it came from. Can I use it, since no one has ever complained?

A: Just because an image was used previously, it doesn’t mean it was used with permission. Even if you think the chance of someone complaining is slim, you must comply with copyright law.

Here’s what you should do:

1. Try a reverse image search in Google Images to look for the source/copyright owner of the image. Watch the tutorial video below for tips on reverse image searching.
2. If you find the image, review the terms of use to determine if your use is permitted.
3. If written permission or payment is required, you must comply with those terms before using the image.
   1. Please submit proof of permission to our permissions repository.
   2. If the fee is too high or permission is not granted, look for a free-to-use alternative.
4. Always cite the source of an image, even when it is not required. This will prevent having to repeat these steps the next time the form is revised.

If you are unable to find the image or need help with this process, reach out to Library Services: Copyright@nshealth.ca.

Q: I am developing a document for a clinical subject guide for staff. I found an image in a journal article that is perfect for my needs, but I must pay to use it. Since I don’t have a budget for this, can I create my own image that looks basically the same?

A: You can create something similar, but it cannot be identical or have only minor differences. Your image must be different enough to be considered an original work. You cannot trace or use photo-editing tools to manipulate the original image.

Consider:

• searching for a free-to-use or open-licensed alternative. Many of these images can be edited, but remember to check the terms of use. Visit the Using Images page of the Copyright subject guide for ideas.
• linking to the original image instead of copying it.

For more information, email Copyright@nshealth.ca or visit our Copyright subject guide.

Reverse Image Search Tutorial

Nova Scotia Health, 2024.

Lana MacEachern

Library Technician
Pictou/Colchester-East Hants/Cumberland Region

Roxanne MacMillan

Librarian Educator
Halifax Infirmary, Central Zone

The Patient Education Pamphlets team has a small collection of anatomical diagrams and icons available to include in patient education pamphlets. If you need a diagram of a particular body part or system, the team may be able to help you find something suitable. If you would like to add a specific visual element to your pamphlet:

2. It must be representative and respectful of Canada’s diverse populations.
3. It must follow applicable Canadian copyright law. Find more information about this by visiting the Using Images and Permissions pages of the Copyright subject guide.

Did you know? Nova Scotia Health team members must pay to use stock images from websites like Getty Images, iStock, and Shutterstock. Be cautious when assuming something is “free” to use. An image may be labeled “royalty free”, but still require payment for use. For more information, visit the Copyright subject guide.

4. All images submitted for inclusion in a patient education pamphlet must be high resolution. This means they should be greater than 300 pixels per inch or a .jpg file with a file size of around 1 to 1.5 MB.
   TIP To avoid your image being compressed when sending, do not add it to a Word document; send it as an email attachment or use MOVEIt (https://sfts1.gov.ns.ca/) to share the file(s) with a Patient Education Pamphlets team member (Important: the email account Pamphlets@nshealth.ca cannot receive MOVEit files).

Many Canadians struggle to read and understand health information. Adding visual elements to patient education pamphlets is one way to help improve communication between health care providers and patients, and help the material be more inclusive of those with low health literacy.

The Patient Education Pamphlets Team is happy to help make sure your patient education materials are easy to read and understand, including helping you choose the right icons, diagrams, or photographs. Reach out to us at Pamphlets@nshealth.ca or visit the Content Creator Toolkit to get started.

References

1. Park, J., & Zuniga, J. (2016). Effectiveness of using picture-based health education for people with low health literacy: An integrative review. Cogent Medicine, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331205X.2016.1264679

2. Schubbe, D., Scalia, P., Yen, R. W., Saunders, C. H., Cohen, S., Elwyn, G., van den Muijsenbergh, M., & Durand, M.-A. (2020). Using pictures to convey health information: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects on patient and consumer health behaviors and outcomes. Patient Education and Counseling, 103(10), 1935–1960. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2020.04.010

3. Tiwari, R. R., Pandey, B., & Chaudhari, K. S. (2023). Image-Based Communication for Strengthening Patient Health Education in Rural and Underserved Settings. Cureus, 15(7), e41279. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.41279

Kallen Rutledge

Librarian Educator, Patient Education Pamphlets Lead
Nova Scotia Hospital, Central Zone

We're often asked whether it is OK to share copyright-protected resources with colleagues. The answer is, “it depends.”

Canadian copyright law gives copyright owners the right to determine how their works may be copied or distributed. The law does not distinguish between internal and external distribution. Internal distribution can include:

• Attaching a PDF of an article to an email
• Saving an image to a SharePoint site
• Storing an ebook on a shared drive

In each of these instances, you are essentially making a copy of the work for every person who has access to those shared workspaces.

Before hitting ‘Send’ or ‘Save’:

1. Read the terms of use. Journals, websites, and electronic databases often state explicitly how their content can be used. For example, they may permit distribution for educational purposes, or downloading for personal use only. You must use the content as directed and get permission to share if necessary. Look for terms of use in the fine print of websites. If you have questions about terms of use for journals or electronic databases, email Copyright@nshealth.ca.
2. Determine if your use is Fair Dealing. Canadian copyright law allows limited use of short excerpts of copyrighted works without getting permission. You may be allowed to share a work if your use is for research, private study, education, parody or satire, criticism, review, or news reporting and it meets conditions determined by Canadian courts. Examples might include sharing an article with a Nova Scotia Health colleague for collaborative research, or with students in an in-person lecture. Learn more about Fair Dealing.
3. Share a link to the resource if possible! It is generally considered copyright compliant to share a link to an electronic resource. Linking to the original document also ensures that if a document is updated or revised, readers are directed to the most recent version.

To learn more about best practices for sharing articles with colleagues, check out our new ‘Copyright Minute’ video, below. You can also contact us any time at Copyright@nshealth.ca.

Copyright - A Copyright Minute: Sharing Articles with Colleagues

Nova Scotia Health, 2023.

Lana MacEachern

Library Technician
Pictou/Colchester-East Hants/Cumberland Region

Roxanne MacMillan

Librarian Educator
Halifax Infirmary, Central Zone

Citing Indigenous knowledge

Q: "I interviewed several Mi’kmaq elders for a report on Indigenous medical traditions. The interviews were not recorded. How should I cite this correspondence in APA style?"

A: You can do this in one of two ways:

1. APA 7th ed. – Personal Communications

If the interviews are not available to readers in some recorded format (e.g., video, audio, written transcript), the American Psychological Association (2020, p. 260) recommends that traditional knowledge of Indigenous peoples be treated as a form of personal communication. No reference list entry is required, but you should provide an in-text citation with the following components:

• the person’s full name
• the nation or specific Indigenous group to which they belong
• their location
• other details about them that you think are relevant
• the words “personal communication”
• the exact date of correspondence

Example of in-text citation:
(George Bernard, Membertou First Nation, Mi’kma’ki, lives in Membertou, Unama'ki, personal communication, October 4, 2023)

2. Citation templates specifically designed for Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers

Indigenous scholar, Lorisia MacLeod (2021), in partnership with staff of the NorQuest Indigenous Student Centre, created citation templates for both APA and MLA style to better respect and acknowledge Indigenous oral traditions. She reasons that “to use the [APA or MLA] template for personal communication is to place an Indigenous oral teaching on the same footing as a quick phone call, giving it only a short in-text citation (as is the standard with personal communication citations) while even tweets are given a reference citation” (MacLeod, 2022, p. 2). Numerous institutions across Canada and the United States have adopted these templates.

MacLeod suggests including an entry in the reference list, in addition to the in-text citation recommended by APA (see above), using this format:

Last name, First initial. Nation/Community. Treaty Territory if applicable. Where they live if applicable. Topic/subject of communication if applicable. personal communication. Month Date, Year.

Example of reference list entry:
Bernard, G. Membertou First Nation. Mi’kma’ki. Lives in Membertou, Unama’ki. Mi’kmaq medicines. personal communication. October 4, 2023.

Note: It is always important to ask how an individual wishes to identify themselves and their community.

We'll share more copyright Q&A in future blog posts. In the meantime, reach out to Copyright@nshealth.ca with your copyright question or book a one-on-one consultation.

To learn more, visit our Copyright subject guide, register for Copyright 101 on the LMS or request a custom copyright education session for your team. We’re here to help!

References

1. American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

2. MacLeod, L. (2021). More than personal communication: Templates for citing Indigenous elders and knowledge keepers. KULA: Knowledge Creation, Dissemination, and Preservation Studies 5(1). https://doi.org/10.18357/kula.135. CC BY 4.0.

Lana MacEachern

Library Technician
Pictou/Colchester-East Hants/Cumberland Region

Roxanne MacMillan

Librarian Educator
Halifax Infirmary, Central Zone

Are you interested in learning how to access information using Library Services resources or developing patient education pamphlets? Our education sessions teach practical information skills that meet the evolving needs of:

• Clinicians, staff and researchers who need to efficiently access health sciences literature for research and to inform patient care
• Clinicians who need to learn how to access new/under-utilized point-of-care tools and other relevant resources

Online education sessions, offered on Microsoft Teams, cover topics such as:

• Library Services orientation
• Literature search tips to assist with research
• Searching specific databases (such as PubMed®, CINAHL, etc.)
• Developing patient pamphlets
• Copyright advice

We keep in mind health care workers' busy schedules so new classes are added every three months with a variety of dates and times. There is sure to be a session suitable for you.

View online education and training opportunities

1. Be sure to check our Learning Opportunities calendar often. You can access the calendar from Library Services’ website by selecting Services at the top of the Library’s home page. From the dropdown menu, select Education and Training Sessions.
2. Watch for learning opportunities in the Library Services section of Nova Scotia Health News.
3. Print and post our fall education flyer - coming in September! From the Library Services home page, select Documents & Forms from the left-hand menu. Select Promotion, then the Library Learning Opportunities document for the current season.
4. Keep an eye out for promotional emails from Library Services.

Online session registration is quick and easy:

1. From the Learning Opportunities calendar, select the session you are interested in.
2. Select the Begin Registration button and complete the form.
3. Before you select Register, it is helpful to have your device set up properly to join the meeting.
   1. Support for joining the meeting is provided on the registration page and in the confirmation email you will receive.
   2. If you have any difficulty, please email Library Services prior to the session date.
4. Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email with the link to join the session.
5. You will also receive a reminder email before the session date.
6. After the session, you will receive a Training Evaluation Form. Your feedback is important!

Custom Group Training

Looking for a customized group training session? We have you covered! Our instructors deliver customized education sessions on several topics that support your info needs, at a time that works best for your team. Depending on the type of request, customized group training can be delivered virtually, via Microsoft Teams, or in-person. Let us know what you are looking for by filling out our Custom Group Training form. A Library Services team member will be in touch to arrange your session.

Consultations

Library Services’ team members also provide consultations. Meet one-on-one with a library and information professional for help with your project, publication, research or other info need. Book a consultation online today!

We look forward to meeting you in one or more of these sessions, or in a consultation with a Library team member. As always, please reach out to AskLibrary@nshealth.ca with questions or for further info about Library Services’ Education and Training opportunities.

Amanda Andrews

Librarian Educator, Education & Training Lead
Eastern Zone - Cape Breton, Guysborough, Antigonish

Welcome to summer—the season of pedicures, fancy up-do hairstyles and vibrant outfits. It seems everyone is getting dressed up and made over for a prom, wedding, trip or reunion.

Library Services’ Copyright Team didn’t want to be left out of the fun, so we’ve jazzed up our favourite LMS course: Copyright 101.

Copyright 101 delivers the core information you need to confidently reuse, create and share content legally and ethically at Nova Scotia Health. After taking this self-guided eLearning course, you will be able to:

• Understand the following concepts and their application in the workplace:
  • Intellectual property
  • Canadian copyright law
  • Content
  • Copying
  • Public Domain
  • Fair Dealing
• Know when and how to request permission to reproduce content
• Interpret terms of use and Creative Commons licenses
• Adapt content for reuse in Nova Scotia Health projects
• Share content ethically

The best part about Copyright 101 is you can take it at your convenience. If our regularly scheduled live copyright education sessions don’t fit your schedule, Copyright 101 is the solution.

To access the course, sign in to LMS and search for Copyright 101 by title or by the course code 0829.

We recognize that eLearning isn’t the best format for everyone. If you prefer in-person learning, you can:

• sign up for a live copyright education session (resuming in the fall)
• book a copyright consultation
• reach out to the Copyright Team at Copyright@nshealth.ca

Lana MacEachern

Library Technician
Pictou/Colchester-East Hants/Cumberland Region