Buhle Mbambo University of Zimbabwe Harare

1. The work of International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) in access to information thru the Programme for enhancement of Research Information( PERI) Buhle Mbambo University of Zimbabwe Harare

2. Overview of presentation • Vision and Mission of INASP • INASP objectives • Programme for the enhancement of information • Scenarios of operation • Access to information initiatives • PERI components • Challenges • Conclusion

3. INASP International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications • Vision: All people are able to access and contribute information ideas and knowledge necessary for sustainable and equitable development • Mission: to enable worldwide access to information and knowledge with a particular emphasis on the needs of developing and transitional countries

4. INASP objectives • To improve access to scientific and scholarly information • To catalyse and support local publications • To strengthen local capacities to manage and use information and knowledge • To foster in country, regional and international co-operation and networking

5. Initiatives to provide access to international publications (online) • HINARI • Managed by WHO, specialising on Health content • Agora • Managed by FAO, specialising on Agricultural information • EIFL • Managed by EIFL.net • PERI (Programme for the Enhancement of Research Information) • Managed by INASP

6. PERI Aim: To support enhancement of capacity in the research sector in developing and transitional countries through strengthening the production, dissemination and access to information & knowledge utilising new Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) Key Words: Affordability, Sustainability, Enhancing Capacity

7. PERI – a multi-component programme 1 Delivering information • ICT-enabled national access to international research findings 2 Disseminating local and regional research - Increased availability of national research outputs 3 National research publishing • More viable and more visible national publishing 4 ICT and E-Resource Management Training • Enhanced skills in using electronic resources and tools 5 Supporting country collaboration and networking • Stronger local mechanisms for information resource sharing 6 Supporting research and development

8. Typical scenarios of most PERI participants • Limited bandwidth • Limited financial resources • Pioneering in e-resources provision • Developing new ways of doing business • Growing students populations • Digital divide • Limited ICT skills • Limited equipment

9. Countries where INASP: PERI is currently working Mandated to work in countries that fulfil GDP and HDI criteria - in essence all the poorest countries (full list on INASP website http:www.inasp.info) * = presence of PERI Country Coordinator

10. Methodology • PERI works with country coordinators and networks of scientists, researchers, institutions and libraries to identify needs • Country coordinators or coordinating teams plan, implement and develop services • PERI responds and facilitates

11. PERI Information delivery: facts and figures • No. of countries participating • January 2002: 6 • January 2005: 22 (7 are 100% self-funded) • 22 more country requests in pipeline • No. of full text peer reviewed journals available • January 2002: 7,900 titles • January 2005: 14,500 full text titles • Number of full text downloads • 360,896 in 2004 (197,762 PDF and 163,052 HTML)

12. PERI National research publishing • Aims:to increase the dissemination and visibility of nationally produced research and to enable effective publication of nationally produced research information. • Activities: Online publishing support (e.g. on www.ajol.info platform & via other services), and assisting skills and knowledge building through workshops, study tours, partnerships and published resources

13. PERI ICT and E-Resource Management Training • 9 workshop series include 65 different modules – ranging from ‘Using the Internet’ to ‘Bandwidth Management & Optimisation’ • ‘Travelling’ training materials and ‘cascading’ methodology • Local facilitation and in-country delivery

14. PERI : R&D • Aim: to involve and inform the community in addressing new challenges • Bandwidth optimisation & management • Supporting development and training in managing available resources • National portals ELIN@PERI • Supporting development and implementation of local search mechanisms

15. Funding models • INASP is a non profit organisation • PERI was initially funded by donors • Has a model of self finance by participating countries • Participating countries working self sustaining mechanisms

16. Access initiatives – Challenges • Information overload • Infrastructure stretched: bandwidth and number of computers • From PERI mid term review • political and institutional will in supporting research • effectively situating e-resources within a context of e-learning • increasing use of e-library services and resources • development of evaluation and impact indicators • supporting strategies towards sustainability

17. Conclusion • PERI programme has been critical in the provision of multi-disciplinary digital information • Has worked in country to strengthen local journal e-publishing • Has strengthened dissemination of local information electronically • Is working in country to ensure sustainability of provision and access to digital information beyond 2008

18. The end • Thank you. For more information contact: • inasp@inasp.info • librarian@uzlib.uz.ac.zw