The development of digital libraries is an important concern in facilitating access, sharing and preservation of content. eIFL believes that the open source Greenstone Digital Library (GSDL) software suite  (www.greenstone.org), whose development and distribution are coordinated by the University of Waikato in New Zealand, provides a unique resource to promote the development of DLs in Africa in keeping with our objective of empowering libraries through Open Source solutions.

For this reason, we have agreed to execute the Greenstone Southern Africa Pilot Project on behalf of the Koha Foundation (U.S.A.) which is providing US$50,000 for implementation of the project. The University of Waikato and DL Consulting, a private company in New Zealand working closely with the Greenstone project, will provide consultant staff to the pilot project as support in kind. eIFL has asked Mr John Rose, a retired UNESCO staff member who has been working with the Greenstone team in its efforts to promote Greenstone support and participation in developing countries, to serve as the international coordinator for this pilot project. Additional details of this project will be provided on an ongoing basis.