SPIE Digital Library now accessible to individuals in developing countries through ICTP program

BELLINGHAM, WA, USA- 13 June 2008 - The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) has arranged for the SPIE Digital Library to become available free of charage to researchers and students in more than 90 countries served by ICTP's electronic Journals Delivery Service (eJDS). Through eJDS, ICTP distributes scientific articles via email to individual scientists in institutions with insufficient or unaffordable Internet connection.

"The eJDS is aimed at individual scientists in low-income countries who often suffer from professional isolation and poor facilities," said Lucio Visitin, ICTP Acting Library Head. "Thanks to the generous participation of SPIE, ICTP through eJDS can provide them with quick access to the invaluable scientific content of the SPIE Digital Library."

Content provided by eJDS focuses on photonics, optics, physics, and mathematics.Under the arrangement with SPIE, participating researchers will have access at no charge to the SPIE Digital Library's 260,000 technical articles from the Society's journals and conference proceedings.

"Joining the eJDS program is an incommensurable help for scientists from developing countries," said Dr. Mama Nsangou, senior lecturer in the department of physics at the University of Ngaoundere, Cameroon. "Access to papers published by SPIE through eJDS enhances the research capability of these scientists by providing an opportunity to do good bibliographic reviews in the domain of optical engineering."

"I am very proud that SPIE is able to further one of our missions as a professional society, that of connecting scientists and engineers for the betterment of humanity," said SPIE Publications Committee Chair Harry Levinson of Advanced Micro Devices.

About the SPIE Digital Library

The SPIE Digital Library is accessible through key search engines and scientific databases as well as independently at SPIEdigitallibrary.org.

• Includes journal articles and conference proceedings papers dating from 1990 onward
• Adds approximately 17,000 editor-reviewed conference proceedings papers annually, with publication of individual papers beginning immediately after the event as approvals are met and with all papers published by approximately 3 weeks post-meeting
• Adds approximately 1,000 refereed articles from SPIE's six journals added annually, with each paper published online as soon as referee and production processes are completed
• European and Asian contributions represent over 50% of all papers in the collection, creating a global networking and research resource
• Approximately 1.5 million papers downloaded in 2007, with usage increasing significantly each year
• User-defined RSS saved search available, along with journal and topical e-mail alerts
• Open-access content published in SPIE Letters.

For subscription or other information, contact Marybeth Manning, Director of Digital Library Sales, marybeth@SPIE.org

About ICTP

ICTP operates under the aegis of two United Nations agencies, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizatoin) and IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency). It is regulated by a seat agreement with the Government of Italy.The ICTP provides research facilities for visitors, associates and fellows, particularly from developing countries, and presents international forums to foster research in physics and mathematics. Its programs serve several thousand researchers annually.or more information about the eJournals Delivery Service, contact Lucio Visintin, Acting Library Head, The Library, ejds@ictp.itlibrary@ictp.it

About SPIE

SPIE is an international optics and photonics society founded in 1955 advancing light-based technologies. Serving the interests of its more than 188,000 active constituents representing 138 different countries, SPIE acts as a catalyst for collaboration among technical disciplines for information exchange, continuing education, publishing opportunities, patent precedent, and career and professional growth. As the organizer and sponsor of approximately 25 major conferences and education programs annually in North America, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific, SPIE provides publishing, speaking, and learning opportunities on emerging technologies. For more information, visit http://SPIE.org.