Electronic information for libraries
Electronic Information for Libraries , also known as eIFL.net, is an independent foundation based in Nieuwegein that advocates the possibility of universal access to electronic resources for library users in transition and developing countries . Its main focus is on the completion financially bearable subscriptions to e-journals for libraries in education and research, while aspiring library networks supported in the member countries. Other eIFL.net programs and services keep members informed about general information issues and initiatives.
history
eIFL.net began in 1999 as an initiative of the Open Society Institute (OSI), a private funding foundation that is part of the Soros Foundation's network . Recognizing the key role libraries play in the exchange of ideas , knowledge and information and in the development of open societies , the OSI invested heavily in library development and modernization , particularly in the post- socialist countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union . With their traditional, highly developed education systems , these countries represented new markets for international providers of scientific specialist information. The barriers to access were very high due to limited financial resources, the poorly trained technical infrastructure, a lack of skills and a comparatively low level of awareness of electronic alternatives to print subscriptions. This deprived many libraries of the abundance of international scientific journals and databases as well as the possibilities of digital technologies.
OSI dedicated itself to supporting education and research in transition countries and with eIFL.net aimed to help libraries and their users to gain inexpensive access to scientific resources. eIFL.net is conducting license negotiations with publishers for electronic resources on behalf of its members . Since access to digital materials stored on the Internet can be expanded at low cost for the provider, OSI pursues the idea of using the purchasing power of customers who are “poor” as individuals and negotiating transnational deals with information providers for the library networks. eIFL.net acts as an intermediary for the national library associations, which are responsible for self-promotion and the use of electronic resources on site. The eiFL.net licenses give libraries and their users access to thousands of scientific e-journals with articles in full-text format , from the humanities to zoology . In addition, eiFL.net offers training courses and other services.
In 2002, eIFL.net became an independent foundation registered in the Netherlands with broad funding and based in Rome . eIFL.net is a member of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions ( IFLA ) and the International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC).
Guiding principle
The basic ideas that are the driving force behind the eIFL.nets activities can be summarized as follows:
- Access to information is essential for education and science and has a direct impact on the development of societies ;
- the combined bargaining power of libraries can lead to affordable and permanent access to electronic information in transition countries;
- The transfer of responsibility to citizens and the spread of democracy depend on equal access to information and knowledge worldwide: eIFL.net is committed to creating fair conditions.
Members
The global network includes 4,000 libraries in 50 transition and developing countries from Albania to Zimbabwe . It has members in Africa , Central , Eastern and Southeastern Europe , the former Soviet Union , Southeast Asia and the Middle East .
Current members: Albania , Armenia , Azerbaijan , Belarus , Bosnia-Herzegovina , Bulgaria , Cambodia , Cameroon , China , Croatia , Egypt , Estonia , Ghana , Georgia , Iran , Lesotho , Jordan , Kyrgyzstan , Laos , Latvia , Lebanon , Lithuania , Macedonia , Malawi , Mali , Moldova , Mongolia , Mozambique , Nigeria , Palestine ( Gaza Strip and West Bank ), Poland , Russia , Senegal , Serbia , Slovakia , Slovenia , South Africa , Sudan , Swaziland , Syria , Tajikistan , Uganda , Ukraine , Uzbekistan , Zambia , Zimbabwe .
Program fields and activities
The two main activities are the establishment and support of library networks in transition and developing countries as well as the assistance with the provision of electronic resources. Over the years, other program areas were added.
Negotiating content and licensing
Negotiating content and licensing are the cornerstones of the activity. The number of partner publishers has risen steadily over the years and covers all disciplines, magazines and databases , reference sources and, more recently, e-books . The eIFL.net model license aims for the fairest conditions for access and use for the libraries and their customers.
Verbund management and sustainability
Within this program, training courses on the benefits of library collaborations and the approach to raising funds for electronic resources as a network are carried out. eIFL.net offers guidelines and consulting services on the subject of network management with a strong emphasis on the sustainability of the networks.
Support of "Access to Knowledge"
These are copyright and related issues.
The aim of this program is to expand the professional competence in questions of copyright for libraries within the community of eIFL.net libraries . The program offers training and creates greater awareness of the topic in the network of eIFL.net librarians . It also represents eIFL.net in international political forums such as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and was involved in a civil society campaign for Access to Knowledge (A2K).
Open Access Publishing and Institutional Repositories
The purpose of the foundation is to promote access to electronic resources, so a partnership with the open access movement is an obvious choice. The aim of this program is to offer training and knowledge exchange on the subject of "Open Access" within the eIFL.net community. At the same time, the organization supports the creation of greater transparency with regard to locally produced content by setting up institutional repositories at leading research institutions in the library associations.
Information technology for libraries
The use of proprietary software , often purchased by libraries with a one-time grant, means that eiFl.net libraries cannot finance license and maintenance fees and the systems become obsolete. eIFL.net offers advice on the acquisition and diversification of library software in order to increase the transparency and efficiency of the members in the networked world and to enable them to develop their own digital libraries .
eIFL.net commissioned studies on the potential of open source software (OSS) for libraries and portal solutions that could meet the needs and interests of members.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ eIFL.net model license ( memento of the original from July 26, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
