Knowledge without boundaries
EIFL Programmes and Services
Who we are EIFL is an international not- for-profit organisation dedicated to enabling access to knowledge through libraries in more than 45 developing and transition countries in Africa, Asia and Europe.
We work with library consortia in Africa, Asia, and Europe
EIFL Mission knowledge without borders EIFL promotes sustainable access and exchange of knowledge through global leadership of libraries to improve the development of society and the economy in developing and transition countries
EIFL history Founded in 1999, EIFL began by advocating for affordable access to commercial e-journals for academic and research libraries in Central and Eastern Europe In 2000 the consortium model was adopted to strengthen the capacity of libraries at the national level In 2003 EIFL became an independent foundation
EIFL history Today We serve over 45 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe We have negotiated agreements with 20+ vendors for more than 35,000 full-text journals, reference works and e-books 5 programmes now include licensing, OA, IP, FOSS, and PLIP
EIFL history Today We serve over 45 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe We have negotiated agreements with 20+ vendors for more than 35,000 full-text journals, reference works and e-books 5 programmes now include licensing, OA, IP, FOSS, and PLIP
What we do Expand access to commercial e-resources Build capacity through training and by developing tools and resources Advocate for supporting policy frameworks nationally and internationally Encourage knowledge sharing Incubate pilot projects for innovative library services
Core Initiatives Access to Knowledge for Education, Learning and Research –ensuring well-resourced libraries, modern ICT infrastructure and skilled staff to provide essential support to students and scholars. Access to Knowledge for Sustainable Community Development –transforming lives through innovative services in public libraries
Governance The Director oversees the affairs of the organisation Advisory Board, which includes elected partner country representatives, supports the Director Management Board bears legal and financial responsibility for the organisation
Relationship with consortia EIFL signs a Memorandum of Understanding outlining cooperation and responsibilities with library consortia. Each consortium designates a country coordinator and programme coordinators, who are the link between library members and our programme team. A participation fee, determined according to the country’s ability to pay, is levied to cover some of our costs.
Our approach EIFL’s unique approach is to partner with libraries organised in national library consortia (groups of libraries that share common goals) Library consortia can speak with one voice to stakeholders and policy makers and funders, and can share resources and activities
Consortium Management Manager Monika Elbert
EIFL- Consortium Management in action… Provide training, expertise, consultancy and mentoring Offer a range of resources to support consortium building Facilitate knowledge flow among EIFL partner consortia
EIFL Programmes EIFL-Licensing EIFL-OA: open access EIFL-IP: copyright and libraries EIFL-FOSS: free and open source software EIFL-PLIP: Public Library Innovation Programme
Expanding access to commercial e-resources EIFL-Licensing
EIFL-Licensing context Access to commercial e-resources is essential for quality research and education. However, high subscription costs present a major barrier for libraries – and their users – in developing and transition countries. By negotiating with vendors on behalf of partner countries, EIFL achieves free or highly discounted access to a wide range of commercial e ‑ resources, plus fair terms of use.
EIFL-Licensing in action… Negotiate affordable and fair licensing agreements Build local capacity in licensing and management of e-resources Work to promote awareness of e-resources, and to encourage subscriptions and usage Develop effective tools to support advocacy
Publishing partners Alexander Street Press Begell House Inc. BioOne Burgundy Information Services Cambridge University Press Ebrary Emerald Group Publishing Encyclopaedia Britannica EBSCO Publishing Future Science Group Gale Cengage Learning ICE Publishing IOP Publishing JSTOR Massachusetts Medical Society
Publishing partners Morgan & Claypool Publishers Multi-Science Publishing Nature Publishing Group NewspaperDirect OECD Publishing Oxford University Press Palgrave Macmillan Project MUSE Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Publishing Royal Society Publishing SAGE SPIE Taylor & Francis Wiley-Blackwell World Scientific Publishing
EIFL-Licensing Achievements Over 50 commercial e-resources from more than 20 vendors $175 million saved by partners in % is the average discount on list price Over 3.7 million full text downloads
EIFL-Licensing Programme Manager Susanna Lob
Removing barriers to knowledge sharin g EIFL-OA: open access
What is OA? Open access is the immediate, online, free and unrestricted availability of peer- reviewed, research literature. It provides the means to maximize the visibility and use of research output by removing barriers that prevent knowledge sharing
EIFL-OA in action… Build capacity to launch and support OA repositories Offer training, support knowledge sharing, and provide expertise Empower library professionals, scholars, educators and students to be OA advocates Advocate nationally and internationally for the adoption of OA policies and mandates
EIFL-OA achievements 400+ OA repositories & 2,600+ OA journals in EIFL partner countries OA policies have been adopted by 24 institutions in the EIFL network 62 awareness raising, advocacy and capacity building events and workshops in with participants from over 50 countries
Participate in Open Access Week October,
EIFL-OA Programme Manager Iryna Kuchma
Promoting fair and balanced copyright laws EIFL-IP: copyright and libraries
Why copyright for libraries is important? Copyright governs ownership and distribution of knowledge Core business of libraries is providing people with access to information and knowledge Copyright affects availability, price and use of material e.g. textbooks, scientific journals Many developing and transition countries have fewer rights than libraries in industrialised countries
Goal and vision Goal. To protect and promote the interests of libraries and their users Vision. Librarians become a strong voice for fair and balanced copyright laws and leaders in promoting access to knowledge
EIFL-IP in action… Play a leadership role in promoting national and international copyright law reform Build capacity through training in advocacy and copyright issues Provide valuable resources and expertise Empower library professionals to be advocates and international proponents of fair access for all
EIFL-IP achievements National level training and capacity building Network of EIFL-IP librarians in member countries Provides advice on legal and policy issues e.g. digitisation, copyright law amendments, etc. Online open curriculum on copyright law developed in partnership with Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet Society. In 2010, held training sessions with librarians from 19 countries
EIFL-IP Resources EIFL Handbook on Copyright and Related Issues Copyright for Librarians: an Online Open Curriculum on Copyright Law with Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet & Society EIFL-IP Draft Law on Copyright Including Model Exceptions and Limitations for Libraries and Consumers Statement of Principles on Copyright Exceptions and Limitations for Libraries
EIFL-IP Programme Manager Teresa Hackett
Improving ICT infrastructure in libraries EIFL-FOSS: free and open source software
EIFL-FOSS context Licence fees for commercial software applications can be a barrier to the development of a modern ICT infrastructure in libraries Libraries in developing and transition countries require affordable, up-to-date software that can be adapted to suit local needs and languages
EIFL-FOSS A wide range of free and open source software (FOSS) applications is available for libraries, but staff often lack the IT skills required EIFL supports the deployment of FOSS and provides the necessary training, enabling libraries to achieve significant cost savings
EIFL-FOSS in action… Encourage knowledge sharing through best-practice case studies Build a network of FOSS champions in EIFL partner countries Provide training and guidance Raise awareness and understanding of FOSS use in libraries
EIFL-FOSS achievements Online workshops attended by over 125 people, from 30 countries. Monthly Themed Weeks focusing on FOSS tools, including online training - all EIFL members are welcome Nine new pilot projects exploring new FOSS technologies
EIFL-FOSS Programme Manager Simon Ball
Improving lives and livelihood through innovative public library services EIFL-PLIP: Public Library Innovation Programme
EIFL-PLIP context Technology offers public libraries new opportunities to increase access to knowledge, helping to improve standards of living and transform lives. Yet, in most countries where the need is greatest, public libraries are under-resourced. EIFL supports public libraries to use technology creatively to develop innovative services to meet the needs of their communities.
EIFL-PLIP in action… Sparking ideas for using technology to improve lives Providing resources to support innovative ideas Promoting ideas that work Sharing learning and knowledge
PLIP’s approach 1.Grant support 2.Capacity building (impact assessment & advocacy skills) 3.Sharing learning so other libraries can replicate successful services
Achievements 12 new public library services using ICT to address community needs in Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America.
The new services Free access to computers & ICT training Reaching remote and vulnerable communities Local content; appropriate information Creating links & networks – to funding, information, a wider world Partnerships for development Using diverse technology – computers, Internet, radio, mobile phones, video....
Perception study EIFL-PLIP commissioned research into perceptions of public libraries in Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Uganda. The research to deepen understanding of the role of public libraries in Africa and of the vision, aspirations and expectations of the general public, librarians and national and local government. Learn more
EIFL-PLIP Programme Manager Breda Karun
More EIFL staff Andrius Krisciunas Finance Director Rebecca Neilson Program support Rosalie Lack Deputy Director
Knowledge sharing Programme workshops. National and regional General Assembly. Annual global meeting of all EIFL countries Country visits and workshops Papers and Presentations. National and international meetings Public relations. Press releases and success stories from countries
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