Knowledge without boundaries

EIFL (Electronic Information for Libraries) has published its 2015 annual report, showing the results of its collaboration with libraries in 60 developing and transitional countries around the world.


EIFL is an international not-for-profit organisation that works with libraries to enable access to knowledge for education, learning, research and sustainable community development. EIFL works with libraries in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa to deliver its vision that everyone should have access to the knowledge they need to fulfil their potential.  It works with libraries to provide access to resources and skills development programmes and to reduce barriers to access to information and knowledge.

Its 2015 report outlines some major achievements:

  • The organisation has reached over 9 million people in over 2,300 libraries
  • It has supported the launch of 100+ new open access repositories
  • Grown the number of publishers with which it has negotiated EIFL Licensing meaning that more journals and e-content have been made available at affordable prices.

Examples of EIFL projects

  • The launch of an Open Access repository at the University of Mandalay, Myanmar
  • Practical computer programming and robotics workshops for students at Belgrade public libraries
  • Funding a project in Armenia to launch the country’s first OA repository of theses
  • Providing mobile library vans with internet connections and solar-charged laptops to tour Ghana to provide real hands-on experience for school children

You can read more about the work EIFL does here.