1. IAU Project – OER and the
Academic Librarian
• IAU
International Association of
Universities
• Members
120 countries, approx.
600 member institutions and
30 member organisations
• Secretariat
(15 people) located in
UNESCO’s compound in Paris,
France
• Why OER?
IAU Constitution (1950)
The IAU Secretariat shall …
“develop means for the better
distribution and exchange of
laboratory material, books and
other equipment for university
study and research”…

2. IAU Project – OER and the Academic Librarian
OER are:
“Digitized as well as non-
digitized teaching and
learning materials either
openly released or released in
the public domain that can be
used and reused by all,
everywhere"
(source: UNESCO)
• Why OER (2)?
IAU Statement Universities
and ICTs (2004):
… IAU will pursue its efforts to
act as a platform for
information sharing in regard
to the use of ICTs in higher
education, stimulating
exchange of expertise and
disseminating examples of
good practices such as the
Open Educational Resources…

3. IAU Project – OER and the Academic Librarian
• Why academic
librarians?
One of the first constituencies
to support the wider open
access movement
They play a central role in
higher education institutions
Are for the IAU the best placed
and trained to advocate for
and promote the use, creation,
and dissemination of OER.
• Accra (Ghana) Seminar
To validate the concept for the
need of a specific Training and
Support Programme for
Academic Librarians on OER
Use, Reuse, and Production.
20 librarians from 10 African
anglophone countries
With support of UNESCO and
African Association of
Universities

4. IAU Project – OER and the Academic Librarian
Results:
• Participants’ knowledge on OER
was updated
• They confirmed their possible
role in the promotion of OER at
the university and beyond
• They validated the project
purposes and format (promotion
and multiplication of OER through
capacity building and support)
Unfortunately, up to now,
the IAU has not been able
to develop the project
But IAU new strategy
which is being drafted
comprises an item on ICTs
that could include OER

5. IAU Project – OER and the Academic Librarian
So, the purpose of this
online discussion is :
1. To get information on
what has changed
concerning OER at
libraries since Accra
In your library?
Do you have OER in your catalogue?
Do you often search for OER?
At your university?
Is your university producing OER? Is
the library involved in the production
/ dissemination of local OER? Do you
have an OER policy?
More generally
Has your institution moved from OER
to MOOCs? Is reaching people with
disabilities part of OER
development?
2. To get your viewpoint
on what should be our
next move

6. Mary ARKORFUL Ghana Head Librarian, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping
Training Centre (KAPTC)
Gifty BOAKYE Ghana Deputy Librarian, University of Ghana
Plaxedes CHAITEZVI Zimbabwe Sub-Librarian, Women’s University in Africa
Mac-Anthony COBBLAH Ghana University Librarian, Methodist University Library
Clement ENTSUA-MENSAH Ghana Librarian, University of Cape Coast
Olukemi FADEHAN Nigeria University Librarian, University of Lagos
Amina KABUDI Tanzania Director, University Library, University of Dar es
Salaam
Richard LAMPTEY Ghana Head of Electronic Information, Kwame University of
Science and Technology (KNUST)
Ntombikayise Nomsa
MATHABELA
Swaziland Assistant Librarian, University of Swaziland
Buhle MBAMBO-THATA South Africa Executive Director, Library Services, University of
South Africa
Elijah MENSAH Ghana University Librarian , University of Professional Studies
Kaelo MOLEBATSI Botswana Deputy Director, Resources Management, University
of Botswana
Balungile Brightness MOLEME South Africa Subject Librarian, University of KwaZulu Natal
Matseliso MOSHOESHOE-
CHADZINGWA
Lesotho University Librarian, National University of Lesotho
George Gitau NJOROGE Kenya Chief University Librarian, Kenyatta University
Amanda SUDIC France Librarian / Documentalist, IAU
Isabelle TURMAINE France Director, Information Projects and Services, IAU