E-LIS Quest for African Librarians

Abstract

E-LIS is an international Open Access Repository for Library and Information Science. It includes a group of volunteers who has through international collaboration established the largest international open repository. The repository boasts LIS material in many languages and represents many cultures. E-LIS was established in 2003, and celebrates its 10 year anniversary in 2013. During these 10 years E-LIS has given librarians experience in open access in their own subject field and in this way encourages open access advocacy amongst librarians. Librarians are invited to submit their works to the E-LIS at http://eprints.rclis.org. In this way librarians across the world build a collection of freely accessible and usable LIS documents, within an internationally compatible OAI system. E-LIS boasts representation from 21 African countries. However, the number of submissions in each of the countries remain in single figures. The only exception is South Africa. Africa’s total contribution to this repository constitutes less than one percent. The quest for African Librarians is therefore twofold. Firstly, where the African Librarians are whose LIS materials should be made visible on this international platform; and secondly, ensuring that African LIS materials are made accessible and visible in this international collaborative space is the mission and persuit of African Librarians.