eGranary Digital Library Project

Due to the limitations of access to the Internet (either because of availability, slow speed, or high cost) in many parts of the world, including Zambia, the UAB Sparkman Center for Global Health has partnered with the Widernet Project since 2008 to build and maintain a custom portal of health information resources and training materials for students and practitioners in medicine, nursing, public health, and other health-related disciplines. This computer based tool, the eGranary Digital Library, is an off-line repository of information that does not need to be connected to the Internet, however, the eGranary interface is much like using a web browser which allows users to access any material that can be digitized. 

The Sparkman Center has supported more than 25 eGranary installations in Zambia which have been disseminated through partnerships developed by the Sparkman Center ranging from academic institutions to non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Furthermore, the Sparkman Center has advised and facilitated the dissemination of eGranaries for numerous organizations all over the world. Technical support for the eGranary is provided by Zambia's technology and innovation hub, BongoHive, which is located in Lusaka, the capital city.


View Zambia eGranaries in a larger map

Examples of the types of resources that have been added include e-books, web pages/web sites, articles, DVDs/videos, case studies, tutorials or curricula, and clinical practice guidelines. Additionally, users can add local materials and courses through several built in tools such as Moodle and the Community Information Platform.