How can you make sure your open science policies and strategies take account of local needs, and at the same time, accommodate broader regional priorities? There is no one answer, says Iryna Kuchma, EIFL Open Access Programme Manager. 

Rima Kupryte, EIFL Director, looks back at our achievements and successes over the past three years and presents our 2021-2023 Strategic Plan. 

Access to knowledge has never been more critical. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vital need for knowledge and information and the benefits of open science. At the same time, the pandemic has deepened global inequalities and the digital divide. 

Iryna Kuchma, EIFL Open Access Programme Manager, looks forward to a challenging and busy year for open science training.

Moving open access and open science training events online was a challenge and an opportunity in 2020. Training in a virtual environment diminishes the variety of interactions that face-to-face training allows; however, at the same time, we were able to reach many more people through our events and workshops - people who might not have been able to travel to training. 

In 2018, the EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme (EIFL-PLIP) and the Kenya National Library Service (KNLS), which manages a network of 62 public libraries staffed by 600 people, entered into a partnership to strengthen continuous professional development of public librarians in Kenya.

The Global Sustainability Coalition for Open Science Services (SCOSS) has helped raise funds for six open access and open science infrastructures, generating 2,781,525 Euros in just three years. Iryna Kuchma, EIFL Open Access Programme Manager, who is on the SCOSS Board, updates us on SCOSS’ efforts to sustain open infrastructures. 

Teresa Hackett, EIFL’s Copyright and Libraries Programme Manager, reports from the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) copyright committee that met recently in hybrid mode in Geneva 

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF), an annual forum that brings together stakeholders from government, industry and civil society to discuss public policy issues relating to the internet, was held online this year from 2 - 17 November. For 12 days, the IGF 2020 digital platform was buzzing - with a record 6,000 participants from 173 countries. Ramune Petuchovaite, Manager of the EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme (EIFL-PLIP), reports.

In the last week of September, the EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme (EIFL-PLIP) team attended the Occupy Library 2020 conference, organized by the Progress Foundation, a small NGO based in Romania, that has successfully implemented some exciting public library initiatives and projects in the field of education, training, social and digital inclusion and community development. 

South Africa’s Copyright Amendment Bill had been sitting on the desk of President Cyril Ramaphosa for over a year, waiting to be signed into law. But instead of signing the bill, the President returned it to parliament citing constitutional concerns with certain aspects, including new exceptions for libraries, education and persons with disabilities. If enacted, the bill would have helped teaching, learning and research during COVID-19 lockdowns. Instead South Africans are forced to struggle under the current, outdated law. EIFL guest blogger Denise R.

Since the EIFL Copyright and Libraries Programme (EIFL-IP) was launched 15 years ago, it has had some remarkable achievements, gained international recognition and staff have won awards. Jean Fairbairn, of EIFL, asked Programme Manager Teresa Hackett about the programme’s past and present, and hopes for the future. 

JF - What inspired the launch of the EIFL Copyright and Libraries Programme?