We are delighted to announce the winners of the ninth EIFL Innovation Award, for public library services improving people’s lives.

The four libraries, in Africa, Europe and the Caribbean, use digital technology and fun activities to improve lives in their communities by addressing development issues included in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Congratulations to –

• ‘Cercle de lecture et d’animation culturelle’ (CLAC), whose mobile library  service offers online mathematics and computer coding classes to under-resourced schools in Yaoundé, capital of Cameroon;
• Cyberiada public library, which has inspired children in the town of Elblag in Poland to take action to protect the environment through their environmental education service;
• Kaunas Municipal ‘Vincas Kudirka’ Public Library in Lithuania, which provides a dynamic and practical electronics, 3D design and computer coding education programme to motivate young people to take up careers in technology and engineering;
• Micoud Public Library in the island of St Lucia, whose computer and job-seeking skills training programme is building young people’s confidence to seek work.

Each winner receives a prize of US$1,500, a certificate and a trophy. Awards will be presented at an award ceremony during the 2016 IFLA World Library and Information Congress, which takes place from 13–19 August in Columbus, Ohio, in the USA.

Thanks to the winners and to all the other applicants for sending us stories about their innovative services.

The EIFL Public Library Innovation Awards recognize innovative library services that use ICT to improve lives and livelihoods. The awards are open to all public and community libraries in developing and transition countries.

Read more about the EIFL Public Library Innovation Awards, and meet the winners of past awards.