Electronic Information for Libraries
EIFL is a non-profit network of library consortia in 38 developing and transition economy countries, negotiating affordable e-resource access, advocating on copyright and open access policy, and supporting public library innovation across more than 60 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersVilnius, Lithuania
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Electronic Information for Libraries does
Electronic Information for Libraries (EIFL), legally registered as Stichting eIFL.net in the Netherlands and headquartered in Vilnius, Lithuania since 2016, is a non-profit organization founded in 1999 as an initiative of the Open Society Institute. EIFL operates four core programmes — Licensing, Copyright and Libraries, Open Access, and Public Library Innovation — and serves a network of national library consortia in 38 active partner countries plus 15 additional project countries, representing more than 3,000 libraries across Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa. Its Licensing Programme negotiates framework agreements with publishers and content providers that yield an average 96% discount and an estimated $784 million in 2025 savings for partner libraries; supporting products include standardised EIFL Model Licences, negotiated e-resource access, and discounted or waived Article Processing Charges through ten-plus publisher agreements.
Revenue is not publicly disclosed and is sourced from two streams: tiered annual membership fees from partner library consortia (€690–€6,570 based on country GDP, GNI, and Education Index, reviewed every three years) and grants from foundations and government agencies including Arcadia Fund, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the European Commission (Erasmus+, Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe), Internet Society Foundation, Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, Open Society Foundations, and Wellcome Trust. Go-to-market is structured as channel-partner and community-led: EIFL negotiates framework terms, distributes through national library consortia and country-level Licensing Coordinators, and supplements delivery with training, the annual General Assembly, and a resource library of best-practice materials.
The organisation holds permanent observer status at WIPO (since 2005) and official partnership with UNESCO (since 2009); EIFL advocacy contributed to 27 partner countries joining the Marrakesh Treaty (impact: estimated 37 million blind and visually impaired persons), 234 national and institutional open access policies adopted in partner countries, and the establishment of more than 1,200 open access repositories and 4,100 open access journals. EIFL is governed by a Management Board chaired by Emilija Banionyte and led operationally by Director Rima Kupryte, who has overseen the organisation since 2003.
Electronic Information for Libraries firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Electronic Information for Libraries
- Legal name
- Stichting eIFL.net
- Website
- https://eifl.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- EIFL is a non-profit network of library consortia in 38 developing and transition economy countries, negotiating affordable e-resource access, advocating on copyright and open access policy, and supporting public library innovation across more than 60 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Electronic Information for Libraries industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Library Consortium Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Academic & Research Library Operations (College/University Libraries) (EDAEAGAB), E-books, Digital Content & Licensing Distribution (CRAOALAE), Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Access Academic Publishing (MPAJABAG), Open Access Scholarly Journals & Monographs (EDAGAFAJ)
Keywords
Where Electronic Information for Libraries is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vilnius
- HQ country
- Lithuania
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Electronic Information for Libraries business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: EIFL partner library consortia pay annual membership fees calculated based on GDP, GNI, and Education Index of their country. Fees range from a minimum of €690 to a maximum of €6,570 annually. The fee structure is reviewed every three years.
- Foundation and Government Grants: EIFL receives funding from foundations and government agencies including Arcadia Fund through Creative Commons Corporation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, European Commission (Erasmus+, Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe), Internet Society Foundation, Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, Open Society Foundations, and Wellcome Trust.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Annual membership fee based on country's economic indicators |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Electronic Information for Libraries product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Electronic Information for Libraries (EIFL) is a not-for-profit organization that negotiates affordable access to commercial scholarly e-resources, advocates for copyright reform and open access policies, and runs capacity-building and innovation programmes for library consortia and public libraries in more than 60 developing and transition economy countries across Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. It delivers this through four core programmes (Licensing, Copyright and Libraries, Open Access, and Public Library Innovation) and supports member libraries through a network of national library consortia.
Product overview
EIFL (Electronic Information for Libraries) is a not-for-profit organization that operates as a coordinated network of library consortia, not a single product but rather a multi-programme initiative. The core offerings include the Licensing Programme (negotiating e-resource access and APCs), the Copyright and Libraries Programme (advocacy and capacity building), the Open Access Programme (OA repositories, journals, and policies), and the Public Library Innovation Programme (community development through library innovation). Supporting services include EIFL licensed e-resources, negotiated research support services, APC agreements with publishers, and the EIFL Public Library Innovation Awards. EIFL also provides the annual General Assembly for knowledge sharing and EIFL Model Licences as standard templates for library consortia licensing negotiations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- EIFL Licensing Programme Core programme that negotiates affordable access to commercial e-resources, technology products, and waived or discounted Article Processing Charges (APCs) for open access publishing on behalf of library consortia in developing and transition countries. Average discount negotiated was 96% in 2025.
- EIFL Copyright and Libraries Programme Programme that advocates for national and international copyright law reform, builds capacity of librarians in copyright issues, and supports librarians to become advocates for a fair copyright system. EIFL's advocacy contributed to 27 partner countries joining the Marrakesh Treaty, benefiting an estimated 37 million people who are blind and visually impaired.
- EIFL Open Access Programme Programme that removes barriers to knowledge sharing by advocating for adoption of open access (OA) policies and mandates, building capacity to launch and sustain OA repositories and journals, and supporting open science practices. 234 national and institutional open access and open science policies have been adopted in EIFL partner countries, and over 1,200 open access repositories and 4,100+ open access journals have been established.
- EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme (EIFL-PLIP) Programme that advances community development by enabling public libraries to implement innovative ideas that use technology to improve people's lives and livelihoods. Includes grants, training, and impact evaluation support for public library projects.
- EIFL licensed e-resources Access to commercial e-resources including e-journals, e-books, reference works, and bibliographic databases negotiated at reduced costs for partner library consortia. 10.99 million+ full text articles and book chapters were downloaded within the EIFL network in 2025.
- EIFL negotiated research support services Negotiated services that support research including tools and platforms for academic research, made available to EIFL partner countries.
- EIFL negotiated APCs (Article Processing Charges) Agreements with publishers enabling authors from EIFL partner countries to publish in open access journals at waived or discounted Article Processing Charges.
- EIFL Model Licences Standardized licence templates reflecting international best practice for e-resource licensing, used as the starting point for negotiations with publishers on behalf of library consortia.
Quantifiable outcome
- 96% average discount negotiated on e-resources
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Electronic Information for Libraries
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Electronic Information for Libraries technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Electronic Information for Libraries partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- UNESCOcoreEIFL has official partnership status with UNESCO, involving mutual engagement to cooperate in UNESCO's fields of competence. EIFL was invited to join the UNESCO Open Science Partnership and an international UNESCO Open Science Advisory Committee.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)coreEIFL has permanent observer status at WIPO, participating in negotiations for copyright rules that promote access to knowledge. EIFL actively participated in negotiations leading to the Marrakesh Treaty adoption.
- SPARC (Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition)coreEIFL has official relations with SPARC, collaborating on open access advocacy, Open Access Week, and various initiatives to advance open access globally.
- Confederation of Open Access Repositories (COAR)coreEIFL is a founding member of COAR, which aims to enable every citizen to access and benefit from knowledge produced from publicly-funded research. Iryna Kuchma sits on the COAR board.
- OpenAIRE AMKEmajorEIFL became a founding member of OpenAIRE A.M.K.E. in 2018 to ensure a permanent presence for European-wide open scholarly communication infrastructure.
- Global Sustainability Coalition for Open Science Services (SCOSS)majorEIFL is a founding member of SCOSS, working to secure sustainable funding for open science services globally. Iryna Kuchma serves on the SCOSS board.
- International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)majorEIFL maintains membership in IFLA, participating in professional committees and initiatives for global library development.
- African Libraries and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA)majorEIFL works with AfLIA on library development initiatives in Africa.
- Creative CommonsmajorEIFL advocates for Creative Commons licensing and collaborates on open access initiatives. Site content is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
- African Journals Online (AJOL)majorEIFL collaborates with AJOL to strengthen quality and sustainability of African open access publishing.
- West and Central African Research and Education Network (WACREN)majorEIFL and partners AJOL and WACREN launched a three-year project for sustainable open access publishing in Africa.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Electronic Information for Libraries competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals): DOAJ indexes and vets open access journals globally, directly comparable to EIFL's support for OA journal publishing (4,100+ journals in partner countries). EIFL staff serve on the DOAJ Council and as Associate Editors, reflecting direct operational collaboration on OA journal quality.
- LYRASIS: LYRASIS is a US-based non-profit technology and content services consortium for libraries, archives, and museums. It is comparable to EIFL as a library-support consortium that negotiates shared resources and provides capacity-building services to member institutions, though with a primarily US membership base.
- OpenAIRE: OpenAIRE operates the European open science discovery and monitoring infrastructure, directly comparable to EIFL's open science and OA programme work. EIFL is a founding member of OpenAIRE A.M.K.E., and the two collaborate on EU-funded open science projects across partner countries.
- SCOSS (Global Sustainability Coalition for Open Science Services): SCOSS secures sustainable funding for open science infrastructure globally, directly comparable to EIFL's open access and open science sustainability work. EIFL is a founding member of SCOSS and EIFL's OA Programme Manager serves on the SCOSS board.
- SPARC (Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition): SPARC is a global advocacy coalition for open access and scholarly publishing reform, directly comparable to EIFL's Open Access Programme. EIFL holds official relations with SPARC, co-organizes Open Access Week, and has received SPARC's Innovator Award — indicating deeply overlapping mission and constituency.
- African Journals Online (AJOL): AJOL hosts and indexes African open access scholarly journals, directly comparable to EIFL's work supporting OA journals in Africa. EIFL, AJOL, and WACREN jointly run a three-year project for sustainable open access publishing in Africa, indicating deep operational collaboration.
- COAR (Confederation of Open Access Repositories): COAR is a global association promoting sustainable open access repository networks, directly comparable to EIFL's repository-building work. EIFL is a founding member of COAR, and EIFL's Open Access Programme Manager sits on the COAR board, indicating operational overlap in building OA infrastructure.
- Creative Commons: Creative Commons develops open licensing frameworks and global advocacy, directly comparable to EIFL's copyright and OA advocacy work. Arcadia Fund channels funding to EIFL through Creative Commons Corporation, and EIFL advocates for CC licensing adoption in partner countries.
Broad incumbents
- OCLC: OCLC is a global library cooperative providing cataloging, resource sharing, and discovery services to thousands of libraries worldwide. It is comparable to EIFL as a global library infrastructure organization, but operates at much larger scale with a broader portfolio of services beyond EIFL's emerging-economy focus.
- IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions): IFLA is the global professional body representing library and information associations, comparable to EIFL in its international library advocacy and policy role. EIFL holds membership in IFLA and multiple EIFL leaders have received IFLA Medals, reflecting close mission overlap though IFLA operates at much larger institutional scale.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Electronic Information for Libraries social profiles
Digital presenceElectronic Information for Libraries compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Electronic Information for Libraries financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Electronic Information for Libraries leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Electronic Information for Libraries funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Electronic Information for Libraries M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Electronic Information for Libraries
What does Electronic Information for Libraries do?
Electronic Information for Libraries (EIFL) is a not-for-profit organization that negotiates affordable access to commercial scholarly e-resources, advocates for copyright reform and open access policies, and runs capacity-building and innovation programmes for library consortia and public libraries in more than 60 developing and transition economy countries across Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. It delivers this through four core programmes (Licensing, Copyright and Libraries, Open Access, and Public Library Innovation) and supports member libraries through a network of national library consortia.
Is Electronic Information for Libraries a public or private company?
Electronic Information for Libraries is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Electronic Information for Libraries founded?
Electronic Information for Libraries was founded in 1999. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Electronic Information for Libraries based?
Electronic Information for Libraries is headquartered in Vilnius, Lithuania, in the Europe region.
How does Electronic Information for Libraries make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are foundation and Government Grants.
Who are Electronic Information for Libraries's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals), LYRASIS, OpenAIRE, SCOSS (Global Sustainability Coalition for Open Science Services), SPARC (Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition), African Journals Online (AJOL), COAR (Confederation of Open Access Repositories) and Creative Commons. Broad incumbents are OCLC and IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions).
Does Electronic Information for Libraries have an API?
No public API is recorded for Electronic Information for Libraries.
What industry is Electronic Information for Libraries in?
Electronic Information for Libraries's product category is Library Consortium Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAGAF, Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing), with a secondary code of EDAEAGAB, Academic & Research Library Operations (College/University Libraries). Its NAICS code is 51921 and its SIC code is 2741.