What is eIFL.net?

eIFL.net is a not for profit organisation that supports and advocates for the wide availability of electronic resources by library users in transitional and developing countries. Its core activities are negotiating affordable subscriptions on a multi-country consortial basis, supporting national library consortia and maintaining a global knowledge sharing and capacity building network in related areas, such as open access publishing, intellectual property rights, open source software for libraries and the creation of institutional repositories of local content.

Vision and mission of eIFL.net

The eIFL.net vision is to provide leadership and be a strong international advocate for expanded availability of electronic resources and to enhance the skills base of eIFL.net library consortia, so that they are at the leading edge of developments.

eIFL.net’s mission is to: (1) assist in the building of strong national consortia; (2) be the premier multi-country negotiator for securing affordable commercial electronic information services; (3) provide strong advocacy and support for the development and accessibility of local digital resources; (4) provide an effective central advisory and capacity building program in open access publishing, copyright and free and open source software for libraries (5) leverage multi-national expertise and resources to fulfill this mission; (6) provide top quality educational and consulting services; (7) be an advocate for the adoption and advancement of effective information distribution models; and (8) develop model partnerships with global funding agencies, foundations, consortial groups, and content providers.

eIFL.net programs and services

eIFL.net currently offers 6 core programs to the consortia in its network:

1. Negotiating affordable access to commercially available e-resources;
2. Supporting the creation of sustainable national library consortia;
3. Open access publishing and the building of institutional repositories of local content;
4. Intellectual property rights and libraries;
5. Free and open source software (FOSS) for libraries;
6. Knowledge sharing and networking.

Participation in eIFL.net

eIFL.net is based on the principle that one library consortium per country can participate. In large countries with several consortia, eIFL.net participation is typically through an umbrella organisation or a coalition. The structure, membership and funding of the consortia vary from country to country, according to circumstances.

A memorandum of understanding signed by the eIFL.net foundation and a new participating consortium details the rights and obligations of both parties. The country consortium designates an eIFL.net country coordinator who is the link between the consortium and the eIFL.net program team. The country coordinator is responsible for the dissemination to the consortium libraries of information coming through eIFL channels and for keeping eIFL informed about in-country developments.

A participation fee, graduated according to the country’s ability to pay, is levied to cover some of the eIFL.net costs.

eIFL.net currently includes library consortia in 50 developing and transition countries in central, eastern and south-east Europe, the former Soviet Union, Africa, the Middle-East and south-east Asia.

eIFL.net governance and staffing

eIFL.net is a not for profit organisation incorporated under Dutch law, with a management and an advisory board.

The eIFL.net office in Rome is run by a Managing Director supported by program managers that deliver the individual program areas.

eIFL.net is in the fortunate position that many professionals from countries all over the world are willing to give their time and expertise freely to develop and carry out specific activities and program areas.