Iraqi Virtual Science Library: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:34, 23 October 2019

Revision as of 02:12, 26 January 2020

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The '''Iraqi Virtual Science Library''' is an Iraqi [[Virtual Library]] providing [[Iraq]]i [[academics]] with access to recourses via the internet. The library, launched in May 2006, initially provided access to more than one million articles from 17,000 electronic journals and other resources.<ref name="leadc">{{Cite web|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-15066209_ITM|title=University of Maryland Scientist Leads Creation of Virtual Science Library for Iraq|accessdate=2008-09-09|date=2006-05-01|work=AScrive Science News Service}}</ref> Access to this knowledge is considered vital for the rebuilding of Iraq as it will improve the curriculum which suffered under [[Saddam Hussein]]'s regime.<ref name="consv">{{Cite web|url=http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/14367.html|title=Virtual Library Gives Iraqi Scientists Access to Valuable Knowledge|accessdate=2008-09-09|date=2006-05-04|author=Steven Donald Smith|work=The Conservative Voice|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527060119/http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/14367.html|archive-date=2011-05-27|url-status=dead}}</ref> The library is part of the overall plan to improve access to information in Iraq.<ref name="reb">{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5506655|title=Rebuilding Iraqi Science|accessdate=2008-09-09|publisher=NPR|date=2006-06-23}}</ref><ref>Iraqi Libraries and Archives in Peril: Survival in a time of Invasion, Chaos, and Civil Conflict, A Report http://archnet.org/library/documents/one-document.jsp?document_id=10241 {{Webarchive|url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20071224040746/http://www.archnet.org/library/documents/one-document.jsp?document_id=10241 |date=2007-12-24 }}</ref>

== Background ==

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The library was funded in part by the US [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]].<ref name="rec">{{Cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1086404211.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021114518/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1086404211.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-10-21|title=Iraqi Educators Reconnect via Virtual Library|accessdate=2008-09-09|date=2006-07-01|work=International Educator}}</ref>The National Academies of Science is also part of the collaboration.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/2013/10/the-secret-behind-iraqs-scientific-resurgence/|title=The Secret Behind Iraq's Scientific Resurgence|last=Marlow|first=Jeffrey|date=2013-10-18|work=Wired|access-date=2019-03-08|issn=1059-1028}}</ref>

The [[U.S. Civilian Research & Development Foundation]] (CRDF) has managed the Iraqi Virtual Science Library following its official launch in May 2006. It is part of its initiative to redirect human capital, particularly out of the weapons experts who found themselves out of work after the collapse of the Soviet Union, into entrepreneurial initiatives and collaboration.<ref name=":1" /> Continued funding has been provided by the US [[Department of State]] and the [[United States Department of Energy]].<ref>CRDF Fact Sheet: Iraqi Virtual Science Library: http://www.crdf.org/factsheets/factsheets_show.htm?doc_id=676089 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090903012158/http://www.crdf.org/factsheets/factsheets_show.htm?doc_id=676089 |date=2009-09-03 }}</ref>

In 2008, the Iraqi Virtual Science Library was expanded to provide access to all public universities in Iraq and a handful of Iraqi Ministries that are key to reconstruction efforts and future development.