The eIFL.net Consortium Management Program

eIFL.net strengthens libraries through the power of collaboration in a global network of sustainable national library consortia. We promote the access and exchange of knowledge through libraries to improve the development of society and the economy in developing and transition countries.

We enable member countries to: lower financial barriers to increased access to electronic information; enhance the professional growth of our members; increase member capacity to employ technology effectively; expand member knowledge about emerging trends in information and technology; and, accelerate the ability of members to advocate for effective intellectual property laws.

A consortium is a collective group of libraries that work to accomplish more together than they could do on their own. The consortium membership can encompass libraries of a single type or of different types and sizes, and the consortium may be local, regional or national in scope. There is one eIFL.net member consortium per country.

Typical benefits of consortia to their members are a reduction of costs through group purchasing, an increase in the ability of libraries to advocate for the needs of their user, and an expansion of the knowledge base of library staff.

The eIFL.net Consortium Management Program assists with the organization of national consortium building through workshops designed to increase the in-country capacity and infrastructure. eIFL.net provides expertise and consultancies through individual country visits and extensive resources on consortium building through the eIFL.net website, thereby enabling knowledge-sharing and learning opportunities for the global network of consortium coordinators.

For further information, click below:

• how your country can become a member
• how you can plan the creation of a consortium if none exists. The full consortium management road map is available in the members' section
• FAQ’s about consortium management
• contact us in case of remaining questions
• more details about the Consortium Management Program services