EIFL-PLIP builds community ICT skills in

23 developing and transition countries

WSIS Project Prize 2013Winner of Category C4

“Capacity building”

Public libraries exist everywhere, in almost every country.

There are more than 230,000 public librariesin developing and transition countries.

Libraries are specifically designed to turn informationinto skills and opportunities

Perceptions of public libraries…

Connecting to information is critical for development

It connects youth to innovative ideas

It helps women access new opportunities

It allows citizens to stay informed and engaged

EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme (PLIP)

• Was launched to explore and demonstrate how ICT-enabled public libraries can address community information needs.

• Provided small grants to 39 public and community libraries in 23 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America to introduce innovative services in the areas of:

– health;

– agriculture;

– economic development;

– education; and

– reaching out to disadvantaged and vulnerable members of the community.

Our grants enabled libraries:

•To acquire technology;

•To build the capacity of librarians and community members to use technology;

•To buy up-to-date print and electronic resources;

•To create content in local languages of interest to the community; and

•To build partnerships with experts (health, agriculture, etc).

All these elements enabled libraries to develop innovative services that meet community needs.

EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme (PLIP)

In just 1 year,

our PLIP libraries helped over

9000 people build their e-literacy skills.

They offered training in the library…

They travelled with laptops to locations where farmers live…

They travelled with mobile libraries equipped with technology to schools…

They connected village communities to doctors…

They connected youth to job and education opportunities…

The potential of public libraries…

EIFL(Electronic Information for Libraries) is a not for profit organisation working with libraries in developing and transition countries to bring access to knowledge.

www.eifl.net