With around 7.000 students, 113 laboratories and 830 faculty and staff members, the University of Cyprus (UCY) is a young and rapidly expanding university (established in 1989). There are 7 faculties, 22 departments and 16 research units / centres, covering a broad spectrum within the life, social, natural and engineering sciences. UCY is considered the leading university and the most active research institution in Cyprus. UCY implemented a large number of research projects funded by the European Commission, the national Research and Innovation Foundation and several public and private Research Organizations.
The University of Cyprus has managed to have the largest university library in Cyprus in terms of building and collection. Accordingly, the Library (established in 1992) managed to gain the respect of the academia and the general public of Cyprus and soon was able to participate in consortia and networks of Europe and beyond. In December 2018 the Library relocated to its new premises, the Learning Resource Centre – “Stelios Ioannou” Library in the University Campus. The building houses all Library functions, services and collections, which spread to five levels combining stacks, reading rooms, work stations, study areas, a 24-hour reading area, as well as a children’s library in a dedicated, specially designed area. The building has 950 seats for studying in all levels, including 31 four-seat and six-seat group study rooms.
Among other tasks and projects, for the last 13 years, the University of Cyprus Library is actively supporting the European Commission’s vision for Open Science. Since 2009 the Library is participating in European projects and acting as the Only National Open Access Desk (NOAD) of the country.
With the support of the European projects and their partners the UCy Library is highly contributing for the local dissemination of knowledge and implementation of Open Science policies and aspects.