Formerly the National Institute of Documentation for Innovation and Educative Research, the agency was established in 2001 and is funded by the Ministry of Education in Italy. ANSAS’ main task is to provide students, teachers, scholars and decision-makers with information about educational resources, projects and technologies in order to facilitate educational innovation and research and dissemination of best practice. The agency is responsible for the development of Italian school libraries and resource centres, provides an e-learning platform for the in-service training of teachers of all educational levels, and provides several online information services.