ELCAELCAElectronElectroniic Lc Liibrary brary

ConsortConsortiium of Armenum of Armeniiaa

newly created non-profit newly created non-profit consortium of libraries and research consortium of libraries and research institutions in Armeniainstitutions in Armenia

consortium-building grant by OSI consortium-building grant by OSI since Sep. 15, 2002 to Sep. 15, 2003since Sep. 15, 2002 to Sep. 15, 2003

MAIN PRINCIPLES OF ELCA ACTIVITYMAIN PRINCIPLES OF ELCA ACTIVITY

Union of non-profit organizations – libraries, universities, Union of non-profit organizations – libraries, universities,

scientific, research and humanitites institutionsscientific, research and humanitites institutions

Transparency and openness of all activitiesTransparency and openness of all activities

Built around Fundamental Sci. Library of the Nat. Acad. Sci. Built around Fundamental Sci. Library of the Nat. Acad. Sci.

[NAS] (more than 50% of scientists and humanitarians are [NAS] (more than 50% of scientists and humanitarians are

concentrated at NAS)concentrated at NAS)

Service center oriented – 5 service centers at largest Service center oriented – 5 service centers at largest

librarieslibraries

Financial sources of ELCA subscription funds:Financial sources of ELCA subscription funds: membership fees and special contributions of members (can’t membership fees and special contributions of members (can’t

be substantial by now)be substantial by now)

State (zero-sized yet)State (zero-sized yet)

Foundations (will be main source for the nearest future period)Foundations (will be main source for the nearest future period)

CURRENT SITUATION & DIFFICULTIESCURRENT SITUATION & DIFFICULTIES

Absence of library & institution funding from the State in terms Absence of library & institution funding from the State in terms

of acquiring electronic informationof acquiring electronic information

Severe lack or absence of computers in librariesSevere lack or absence of computers in libraries

Problems with Internet connection (high Internet traffic prices) Problems with Internet connection (high Internet traffic prices)

making Internet unaffordable for many state institutionsmaking Internet unaffordable for many state institutions

Common passiveness of institutional and library heads in sense Common passiveness of institutional and library heads in sense

of using and acquiring electronic information (root of the of using and acquiring electronic information (root of the

problem: conservatism, lack of skills, understanding, etc.)problem: conservatism, lack of skills, understanding, etc.) Unwillingness of the state and majority of scientific and research institutions to pay Unwillingness of the state and majority of scientific and research institutions to pay

minimal contributions for EBSCO usage threatened the availability of EBSCO at allminimal contributions for EBSCO usage threatened the availability of EBSCO at all

Weak usage of eIFL Direct during 2001-2002Weak usage of eIFL Direct during 2001-2002

CURRENT RESOURCES AVAILABLECURRENT RESOURCES AVAILABLE

eIFL Direct databases (eIFL Direct, eIFL Sci&Tech., eIFL Direct databases (eIFL Direct, eIFL Sci&Tech., eIFL Russian)eIFL Russian)

INASP/PERI databases sponsored by INTAS INASP/PERI databases sponsored by INTAS (Emerald, Oxford University Press, Springer-LINK, (Emerald, Oxford University Press, Springer-LINK, Blackwell, some quota on SUBITO document Blackwell, some quota on SUBITO document delivery service [DDS])delivery service [DDS])

Resouces available via Yerevan State University Resouces available via Yerevan State University (limited access to Fresno Univ. DDS) via grant from (limited access to Fresno Univ. DDS) via grant from NFSAT (Nat. Foundation of Science & Advanced NFSAT (Nat. Foundation of Science & Advanced Technologies)Technologies)

Now since May 12 also DOAJ – Directory of Open Now since May 12 also DOAJ – Directory of Open Access Journals – about 350 open acess journals via Access Journals – about 350 open acess journals via eIFLeIFL

ADVANCESADVANCES

ELCA Web-site creation is being completedELCA Web-site creation is being completed At first stage – point of acess to information about ELCA, its At first stage – point of acess to information about ELCA, its

activities and resourcesactivities and resources Shortly listserv to be launchedShortly listserv to be launched To be turned into single-point information portal for ELCA To be turned into single-point information portal for ELCA

membersmembers ELCA statute is drafted and adopted recentlyELCA statute is drafted and adopted recently

Initial 11 founder organizations of ELCAInitial 11 founder organizations of ELCA State registration documents being prepared to perform it State registration documents being prepared to perform it

soonsoon Licensing sub-contracts being studied, adapted and Licensing sub-contracts being studied, adapted and

translated for later usetranslated for later use Licensing and copyright workshop to take place in Armenia Licensing and copyright workshop to take place in Armenia

on May 20-21 (headed by Tuula Haavisto, Finland)on May 20-21 (headed by Tuula Haavisto, Finland)

GOALS-PROSPECTS-EXPECTATIONSGOALS-PROSPECTS-EXPECTATIONS

Regions still not involved – related fundraising Regions still not involved – related fundraising activities planned with ministries and foundationsactivities planned with ministries and foundations

More vigorous promotion activity with membersMore vigorous promotion activity with members Assisting ELCA members through training courses and Assisting ELCA members through training courses and

publication of native-language detailed guides for eIFL publication of native-language detailed guides for eIFL databases usagedatabases usage

A proposal is being prepared to take part at Budapest A proposal is being prepared to take part at Budapest Open Access Initiative in sense of creating first Open Access Initiative in sense of creating first Armenian Open Access Journal in sciences and Armenian Open Access Journal in sciences and humanitieshumanities

To create an electronic information center for young To create an electronic information center for young scientists (incl. post-graduates)scientists (incl. post-graduates)