Road Town, Tortola - As part of the activities for library week and in observance of World Book and Copyright Day the Library Services Department in collaboration with the Department of Culture will host a seminar on “Protecting Your Intellectual Property” on Friday, April 23.

The seminar, which is for musicians, poets and writers, will be held at Maria’s By the Sea conference room at 7 p.m. The registration fee is $10 and persons can register at the Library Services Department or on the evening of the seminar.

Minister of Education and Culture the Honourable Andrew Fahie in his message for Library Week on April 17 urged all aspiring musicians, poets, writers to take advantage of this seminar. “This seminar is a great opportunity as we seek to provide you with the necessary information to help you safeguard your work against plagiarism and theft,” he said.

He added, “It is imperative that in a world where text and music is easily accessible via the Internet, artistes protect their creations and intellectual property.

Deputy Director of Culture Mrs. Brenda Lettsome Tye told the Department of Information and Public Relations that the seminar aims to provide participants with guidelines and hands on information on how to protect their creative work from plagiarism and theft.

“It is hoped that the participants will leave the seminar with a clear understanding of what their intellectual property is; steps to take to protect the work they have and resources of how to go about doing so,” she said, adding, “At the end of the seminar the participants will know how to have greater control over their art”.

The seminar will be facilitated by Ms. Kayanne E. Anderson Director of Media Entertainment, Telecom and Intellectual Property Management, Jamaica. For more information, persons may contact the Library Services Department at 468-3701, extension 4931 and 4932 or the Department of Culture at 468-3701 ext. 4372.

The mission of the Library Services Department is to provide globally competitive information through technology and other available means to meet the educational, historical, recreational and cultural needs of the public. The Department has libraries in Road Town, Virgin Gorda, East End, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke.