2008.08.14 - eIFL Director receives IFLA Medal for groundbreaking work with libraries in transition and developing countries

PRESS RELEASE
August 14, 2008 Embargo 16.15 EDT

eIFL Director receives IFLA Medal for groundbreaking work with libraries in transition and developing countries

Rima Kupryte, Director of Electronic Information for Libraries (eIFL.net) was honoured by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) at the 74th World Library and Information Congress in Quebec, Canada. The IFLA Medal is one of the highest professional accolades and is awarded to an individual for their distinguished contribution to international librarianship.

Rima Kupryte received the award in recognition of her groundbreaking work with the Open Society Institute (OSI) and eIFL.net in sharing information at a global level. “IFLA applauds the outstanding commitment of Rima in promoting international cooperation throughout her professional career”, said Claudia Lux, IFLA President. “We are delighted to bestow this honour for her dedication in expanding access to knowledge internationally through libraries”.

“It has been a privilege to work with librarians in transition and developing countries”, said Rima Kupryte. “The OSI Network Library Program, which I joined in 1995, gave me a unique opportunity to play a role in the transformation of library services in countries affected by the break-up of the Soviet Union. When eIFL was established as an independent foundation in 2003, we were able to expand the benefits of library consortia, and access to quality electronic resources, to other parts of the world. I am very grateful to OSI for entrusting me with this pioneering work, as well as the many great colleagues, friends and the eIFL team who have provided inspiration and who have influenced me over the years”.

“eIFL is extremely fortunate to have had Rima at its helm”, said Hannie Sander, Chairperson of the eIFL.net Advisory Board. "Rima has worked with amazing energy to build eIFL up from a small project into a global network encompassing 50 countries and more than 4,400 libraries. Under her leadership, program areas have expanded from bulk licensing of e-resources and support for the development of sustainable library consortia, to advocacy and capacity building in open access and local institutional repositories, fair copyright laws and the benefits of open source solutions for library management systems. Her total commitment to levelling the playing field for librarians and their users in transition and developing countries has led eIFL to where it is today, a vibrant knowledge-sharing network with an impressive array of programs and capacity building events each year”.

“We are proud to have nominated Rima Kupryte for this award, the highest such honour bestowed on a librarian from Lithuania”, said Petras Zurlys, President of the Lithuanian Librarians' Association. “Libraries in our country have benefited enormously from our membership of eIFL. When Lithuania joined eIFL, not a single library had access to e-journals and budgets for subscriptions were so low that a university could subscribe to only a few foreign titles. Now our libraries offer access to over 25,000 titles in all academic disciplines. These valuable resources are important for scientists and universities, but their availability impacts on the whole of society”.

“I am delighted to accept this award not just for myself, but on behalf of the entire eIFL network”, said Rima Kupryte. “Their trust, partnership and friendship have enabled eIFL to help empower the library community in countries situated in the former Soviet Union, central and south-east Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The commitment of librarians in providing quality services, despite many daily obstacles, is always impressive. I am really happy to be part of the global eIFL family”.

Further information:
Rima Kupryte, Director
Electronic Information for Libraries (eIFL)
c/o ADN Kronos, Piazza Mastai 9
00153 Rome, Italy
Tel: +(39)(06)5807216/17
E-mail: info[at]eifl.net
www.eifl.net

Notes for Editors

eIFL.net
eIFL.net is an international foundation, which supports national library consortia in more than fifty transition and developing countries to negotiate and advocate for the wide availability of electronic resources to education, research and professional communities as well as governmental organisations and civil society. This global network embraces millions of users in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and the Middle East.