|
Electronic Information for Libraries
 |
|
|
|
Consortium building FAQs
How do we start to create a national library consortium?Answer: If you want to work with eIFL.net, then get in touch (info[at]eifl.net) so we can discuss the most appropriate way ahead to set up and sustain a library consortium in your country. eIFL.net offers a variety of resources and activities, such as workshops, country visits, web-based guidelines. In our experience the most effective way to start is to run an in-country workshop with all the stakeholders, including library directors, policy makers (such as representatives from ministries and government), funding agencies. The results of such a workshop will be shared understanding about consortium management and activities, agreement about roles and responsibilities (such as consortium board, eIFL coordinator), an action plan, and planning for sustained funding of consortium activities. Can only 1 library consortium per country participate in eIFL.net?Answer: This depends on the size of the country, and on the collaboration within the country. Large countries participating in eIFL.net usually have more than 1 consortium, but for now association with eIFL.net is through a national coalition or umbrella organisation of several consortia. It is best to discuss the appropriate forward country-by-country – please get in touch with info[at]eifl.net. Who covers the cost of creating and managing a library consortium?Answer: In general it is the responsibility of the library community in the country to find funding to cover the cost of setting up activities as well as the on-going costs of managing the consortium. The savings that can be achieved by resource sharing and consortium licencing can be demonstrated in order to convince the funding agency (usually a ministry); in many eIFL.net countries the libraries in the consortium have found a fair way of sharing costs (models for cost sharing are available from a number of consortia). In some cases international agencies are willing to give a grant for the start-up of a library consortium; in exceptional cases eIFL.net provides a small grant to support consortium creation – usually reserved for poor countries. 
|
Consortium Building Navigation tree
|
|
Login
Grants for consortia building and development
News
Events
Consortium Calendar
Consortium building FAQs