Global Libraries

During 2008, IREX is working closely with the Ukrainian Library Association, governments at the national and local levels, and non-governmental organizations to jointly design a plan that brings the Internet to the millions of Ukrainians not currently served by the benefits of access. This yearlong information gathering process will focus on how to improve access to the Internet through public libraries, especially for the most underserved.  Activities include:

• Convening a National Vision Forum to bring together key stakeholders and decision-makers in defining a program mission and securing government involvement. Participants from library systems in other countries shared their experience with providing public Internet access, and helped identify areas of the greatest potential impact in Ukraine.
• Conducting a needs assessment in close partnership with the Ukrainian Library Association. This process gathered basic information about the state of Ukraine's public libraries, existing infrastructure and equipment, and the training and information needs of librarians and communities.
• Establishing a National Expert Committee consisting of representatives from government, the library system, civil society, and the private sector to discuss the main challenges in providing public access to the Internet at libraries and to advise the project on how to generate the necessary government and community support to sustain this access over the long term.
• Coordinating with the U.S. Embassy's Library Electronic Access Project (LEAP) and the USAID-funded Internet Access and Training Program (IATP) to build on past efforts, exchange best practices, and identify areas for collaboration.

These activities will result in a plan for a large-scale project that improves public access to the Internet in Ukraine.

Enter Global Libraries’ website

Internet Access and Training Program (IATP)

Addressing a broad shortage of the free flow of information, the Internet Access and Training Program (IATP) is a versatile civil society-centered program that spurs community development by using access to the Internet as a tool for linking citizens to the outside world and by using information and communications technology (ICT) as a pillar to support local initiative. Funded by USAID and administered by IREX, better-informed and more efficient citizens use tools that facilitate the free exchange of information, build local and international associations, and improve communities. The program targets citizens in a position to generate positive change in their community, such as NGO employees, educators, journalists, and government or political representatives.

IATP centers typically have an administrator and six computers who provide:

• Internet Access - Free computer and Internet access available at IATP centers helps bridge the digital divide and provides new sources of information, opportunity, and knowledge.
• Technical Training - IATP's standard course list includes computer basics, Internet basics, blogging, Web design, wikis, graphics editing, and specialized ICT courses for government employees, NGOs, journalists, and teachers.
• Web Content Development - New Web resources resulting from IATP courses increase local-language content, making the Internet more accessible and useful to the local populations.
• Online Forums -Stakeholders, experts, and decision-makers join online in virtual exchanges of ideas that bridge regions with capital cities and often beyond borders.
• Community Events - Citizens utilize the centers as neutral meeting places to organize community initiatives and use technology to strengthen their projects.

Enter the IATP news site

Enter the IATP website