INASP sponsors African delegates to visit UKSG event

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International development charity INASP is to sponsor four delegates representing two library consortia to visit this year’s UKSG conference in Glasgow next week.

Part of INASP’s work with library consortia is to build sustainable skills and knowledge to support access to research information, across the consortium. KLISC (Kenya Library and Information Services Consortium) and ZULC (Zimbabwe University Library Consortium) were selected by INASP for sponsored places at the UKSG meeting because they are seen as being in a good position to benefit from attendance at the conference.

Awarding small travel grants to two nominees from each consortium has been found previously to be the most effective way to support a consortium, as they can share experiences and work together to implement their learning once back home.

The annual conference is a major event taking place every spring, attracting more than 900 delegates.

The INASP-sponsored delegates will have the opportunity to take part in three days of exhibitions, talks and break-out meetings.

Beatrice Odera-Kwache, a nominee from KLISC, is hoping the UKSG conference will 'connect her with the knowledge community and keep her abreast of the current trends and development in the information world'. James Onyango, also of KLISC, said is looking forward to bringing to life the 'information gap between the developed and developing world, and how to bridge that gap – from a Kenyan librarian’s perspective'.

Audrey Mhlanga of ZULC added that she sees UKSG as an opportunity to start to establish a rapport with publishers.

Anne Powell, from INASP's research access and availability team, said: 'I am delighted that these four colleagues will be able to attend UKSG, as I see this as an opportunity for the two consortia to share their successes and achievements with each other and to develop friendships to support each other in future, as well as being able to benefit from this excellent conference.'

UKSG’s mission is to connect the information community and encourage the exchange of ideas on scholarly communication. It describes itself as the only organisation spanning the wide range of interests and activities across the scholarly information community of librarians, publishers, intermediaries and technology vendors.