Assessing the Role of Academic Libraries in Enhancing Awareness of Fair Use and Digital Intellectual Property Rights in Tertiary Institutions in Oyo State

The growing prevalence of digital academic resources in tertiary institutions in Oyo State has heightened the need for copyright literacy and fair use awareness among librarians and users. This study examined strategies adopted by academic libraries to promote ethical use of digital materials, the perceived roles of librarians, and the institutional support available. The population comprised academic librarians, drawn across three tertiary institutions in Oyo State, with a sample of 167 respondents selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that only 33.5% of respondents agreed that their libraries regularly organized copyright training, while 37.1% confirmed the availability of printed fair use guides. Just 22.2% felt adequately trained to educate users, and only 17.4% reported strong institutional support. Although 28.8% strongly agreed or agreed that promoting copyright awareness was part of their role, higher disagreement rates suggest a gap between role recognition and implementation. The study concludes that limited training, inadequate resources, and weak institutional backing hinder effective promotion of digital copyright literacy. The study recommends continuous professional development for librarians, integration of copyright literacy into user education programs, and stronger institutional policies to support awareness initiatives. Strengthening these areas is essential to enhance compliance with ethical and legal use of digital resources in academic libraries.