International Internetworks -- AULP Project Proposal

The African Universities Library Project

Steps to Implementation

Much of what is proposed here involves off-the-shelf technology, common techniques, and pre-existing resources that simply need organizing and consolidation.

Secure data broadcasting services from vendors
This might involve purchasing services form a commercial service, negotiating a commitment from organizations like WorldSpace, or coordinating the use of unused satellite capacity from private or public entities.

Update protocol for asynchronous broadcast
Much of the technology for satellite data broadcasting is off-the-shelf. However, we need to build in additional redundancy to take into account receivers that are not always available 24x7 and return asynchronous links that may take hours or days.

Customize the OS
The operating system will be customized to include a database engine, indexing services, and proxy capabilities. It will need a module for being updated via satellite broadcast. We will also design into the server the capacity to replicate its content to another server on the same network, making it simple to create new servers in the field.

Negotiate agreements with pre-existing digital libraries and Web sites
There are manifold collections of digitized educational material currently available or being constructed on the Internet. We need to develop agreements with the owners of this content to distribute the material to participating universities. We at the WiderNet Project have had a 90% success rate in garnering permissions from Web site publishers to replicate their content for distribution in Africa (currently via CDs.)

Train editors to secure permission to include Web content in their subject areas
This project envisions dozens of editors from various disciplines managing sections of the collection. These editors will need training in identifying, collecting, and securing redistribution permissions from authors and publishers.

Train African content makers to develop new information resources
One of the great advantages to this scheme is that participating universities will be able to share their resources with their peers throughout the developing world. This part of the implementation process would involve training librarians at participating universities in the art of digitizing their materials for Web delivery.

Set up and test prototypes
Working with a handful of universities, we need to set up prototypes and field test them intensively before widespread implementation.

Train implementers and users
Those responsible for setting up and maintaining the local information store for their university will need training in its installation and use. They will also need training on how to train end users as well as incentives for inaugurating training schemes at their university.

Build and administer a cost-recovery system
This project can easily become self-sustaining. It is not unreasonable to expect that Universities will be willing to purchase a $2,000 server, a $500 satellite dish, and pay a subscription of -- for example -- $1,000 a year in order to have real-time access to millions of documents and multimedia titles on their local area network. Nor would it be inconceivable for donors to fund such systems or for content providers to pay for their materials to be included. For most universities, the entire cost of this system, including the staffing, will be a fraction of what they might pay for extremely limited interactive Internet connectivity. We need to develop mechanisms for long-term, sustainable funding.