eIFL.net

Access to knowledge is fundamental to education, research and the creation of the human capacity upon which the development of societies depends. Libraries play a key role through the provision of high quality information resources and services. Yet factors such as the high cost of online resources and poor infrastructure risk leaving many people around the world behind. Working with libraries to remove these barriers is at the heart of eIFL.net's work.

eIFL.net (Electronic Information for Libraries) is an international not-for-profit organization with a base in Europe and a global network of partners. It works with libraries and librarians around the world to bring sustainable access to high-quality digital information to people in developing and transitioning countries.

eIFL.net partners with libraries and library consortia in 47 developing and transition countries in Africa, central and southeast Europe, the former Soviet Union, south-east Asia and the Middle East. Through capacity building, advocacy and knowledge sharing programs, it helps libraries to:

• Join forces and speak with one voice to stakeholders, governments, and policymakers to get the support and funding effective libraries need to serve their communities (Consortium building)
• Negotiate highly discounted prices and fair terms of use for commercial online journals to increase access to essential scholarly material necessary for quality research and education (eIFL-Licensing)
• Advocate for open access policies to publicly-funded research to maximize access and increase the visibility of intellectual outputs from developing and transition countries (eIFL-OA)
• Promote fair and balanced copyright laws to ensure broad access to knowledge (eIFL-IP)
• Foster the development of innovative services in public libraries using technology to improve the livelihoods of people in the community (PLIP)
• Support the deployment of free and open source software in libraries to provide significant cost savings to further invest in modern technology, tools and resources (eIFL-FOSS)

The OSI Information Program still provides core operation support for eIFL.net, but the eIFL.net initiative is now supported by a variety of funders, including other OSI programs, as well as the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, European Commission 7th Framework Program, European Commission Tempus Program, Ford Foundation, John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation, Koha Foundation, Tides Foundation, UNESCO Information for All Program and the Wellcome Trust.

More information on eIFL.net and contact details can be found on their website at www.eifl.net.