Public Information Center/Library

Public Information Centers (PICs) provides public access to World Bank publications, reports, operational documents and other development resources. In compliance with the World Bank policy on information disclosure, the Ethiopia country office PIC created public access to information about the World Bank’s developmental activities to the widest possible audience and thus to enhance the World Bank commitment to transparency, openness and accountability by making information publicly available about the Bank’s work in Ethiopia and related development information. The Ethiopia country office PIC also works to add value to the World Bank’s mission in Ethiopia by continually communicating the relevance of the mission and disseminating the niceties and significance of Bank’s work and products in ways that enlarge its standing, widen its partnership, and increase its endeavor on reducing poverty and pursuing the development agenda in Ethiopia.

Location 

World Bank Ethiopia Country Office, WORBEK HOUSE
Bole Sub City , Kebele 19, House No.402/03
Africa Avenue, (Bole Road)
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Hours of Operation

Monday - Thursday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm

Contacts 

Berhanu Kassa
Public Information Assistant
World Bank, Ethiopia Country Office
Email bwoldemichael@worldbank.org
Tel +251 11 662 7700

Who can use a public information center? 

In compliance with the World Bank’s policy on information disclosure, the Ethiopia country office PIC is provide information about the World Bank, it’s work and activities and other development information free of charge to academics, government, private sector, NGOs, media and general public looking for World Bank documents and information on development issues.

Services 

The  Public Information Center services include:

• online access to World Bank project documents, publications, and other development-related publications;
• access to a special collection of CDs and videotapes on development;
• access to development sites on the Internet;
• online access to bibliographic and full-text databases that includes a broad range of journal and newspaper articles, reports, books, newsletters, conference papers, etc
• access to World Bank projects, documents and reports; and
• access to the World Bank’s PICs  cataloguing system ( e-PIC  - a new virtual library of the World Bank) that allows users to search for information on the collection of PICs around the World. For Online access to records search the e-PIC  

Available Documents and Reports

• World Bank Annual Report: Annual publication that gives an overview of the World Bank activities in a given fiscal year. Contains information on major World Bank programs, evaluations, operations, administration, finances, etc
• World Development Report: This is an invaluable guide to the economic, social and environmental state of the world today. Each year the WDR provides in depth analysis of a specific aspect of development.
• World Development Indicators: This publication is also available in CD-ROM format and provides an expanded view of the world economy for almost 150 countries.
• African Development Indicators: An annual publication that provides the most detailed collection of data on Africa available in one volume. It contains more than 500 macroeconomic, sectoral, and social indicators covering 53 African countries.
• Project Information Documents: These are documents that give brief summaries of evolving projects. These are updated and expanded as the project preparation proceeds.
• Project Appraisal Documents: These contain descriptions of a project and the plan for its implementation, including procurement and disbursement procedures.
• Economic Sector Reports: These include macroeconomic analysis of major economic sector and other reports on specified issues such as poverty assessment etc.
• Environmental Assessment: These are detailed studies required for projects likely to have significant impact on the environment. Studies are available before the final appraisal of the viability of the project.
• World Bank Guidelines for the Procurement of Works, Goods and Services: These provide guidelines for borrowers and their implementing agencies in the procurement of goods, works and services. Including standard bidding documents,
• The PIC provides also World Bank development Publications. Some copies of the World Bank publications are available for free.

Other Facilities 

The PIC provides access to Public Computers, CD-ROMs, and Specialized Computers access for the disables. Access to public computers is limited to searching CD-ROM materials, access to the World Bank’s and other website and to the Internet for on-line research only.

Additional World Bank Information Sources in Ethiopia 

The World Bank Depository/Regional Library Program

The World Bank's Depository Library Program is a key element in its publication strategy. As the world's largest development institution, the World Bank undertakes large projects of research, analysis, and data gathering. The dissemination of that research is a necessary part of the Bank's objectives, because knowledge and information, to have value, must be shared. Well-organized libraries that serve numerous users are one of the most effective channels for the sharing of knowledge and information. The World Bank sets great store by its relationship with its depository and regional libraries.
The libraries listed in below have all agreed to work with the World Bank as active partners in the dissemination of Bank materials by promoting them and encouraging their use among different groups of readers.

Regional Library

Bahir Dar
Bahir Dar University Library
P.O. Box
Bahir Dar
Tel: (+251 58) 220 0143
Fax: (251 58) 220 2025
Contact: Head Librarian, Bahir Dar University Library

Depositary Library 

National Archives and Library of Ethiopia 
National Library
Addis Ababa
Tel: (251 11) 551 6532
Fax: (251 11) 552 6411
Contact: Mr. Atkilit Assefa, Director, National Archives and Library of Ethiopia