Libraries and Information Network

Welcome to the Libraries and Information Network. The Network is open to librarians in all ACU member universities, and is completely free to join. We currently have around 400 members across 300 institutions Commonwealth-wide.

Sharing knowledge and best practice

Members receive a free copy of LINK, the Network’s regular magazine, and benefit from opportunities to share professional expertise, knowledge and best practice with colleagues across the membership.

Raising the profile of libraries and librarians

As scholarly information is increasingly accessed and discovered online, away from the physical library, a key aim is to raise the profile of libraries and librarians, demonstrating the critical roles they play both in securing access to digital information, and by supporting research and teaching in new ways. A dedicated libraries session – 'The Changing University Library'– was also held at the ACU's 2008 Conference of Executive Heads in Hyderabad, India. 

Working with publishers

In collaboration with INASP we have established the Publishers for Development initiative, to help to improve publishers' knowledge of developing country research environments and to strengthen the relationships between publishers and librarians. The Low Cost Journals Scheme is also built on a long-standing partnership between the ACU and a number of major academic publishers.

Research and surveys

A substantial survey was undertaken in 2008, with the results published as 'Unlocking the Potential: New Opportunities for Commonwealth Libraries'.

In 2009 the ACU was commissioned by Arcadia, a UK grant making trust, to undertake a background study on Digital Libaries in African Universities.

Low Cost Journals Scheme

Since 2002 the ACU has also run the Low Cost Journals Scheme (known in Africa as the Protecting the African Library Scheme), offering ACU member institutions in Africa, Asia, the Pacific islands and the Caribbean a means of purchasing academic journals from major publishers at substantial discounts.