Agricultural Information Network For Ethiopia : Needs, Functions and Implementation Strategy
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Date
1992-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The relevance e and viability of cooperative approach by forming a
network of existing information service units in the country to
address commonly faced shortcomings in agricultural information
provision was assessed and discussed. A review of literature on
various aspects of information networking was made mainly to draw
up a general framework and basic principles essential to assess
viability, to determine possible and viable areas of cooperation
and to establish the particular type of network required. A
preliminary survey on problems, resource capability and attitude to
networking on the existing information service units in Ethiopia
using questionnaire supported by selected interview was conducted.
The results revealed shortages in information sources, skilled
personnel, and equipment
organizational structures are
and facility; and cumbersome
widespread. Standardization and
bibliographic control tools are also absent. Local publications are
neglected areas. Financial resource limitations are major problems.
The information services provided are limited to reading and
lending services by large. All these are constraints in the
improvements of the services immediately. Staff willingness to
approach the existing problems cooperatively was high.
Also surveyed with a different questionnaire were agricultural
information users of the surveyed information service units so as
to assess their reaction to and opinions about the available
services which the network could take into consideration as its
ultimate goal. Although at present books a re the most used,
journals and local publications are reported to be in great demand.
Literature search, photocopying, document delivery are also
required. The majority are dissatisfied with their information
service units because their information needs are not met. However,
many seem to appreciate a cooperative approach to the services
although at present many are less frequent users of other similar
information units in the country.
Taking into consideration what is affordable by the existing units
on the one hand and the need to address the pressing problems on
the other, feasible areas for a network were identified ,namely,
establishing union catalogues of holdings and list of local
publications, limited inter library loan, training and
standardization with focus on laying the ground for further wider
cooperation leading towards meeting the expressed as well as
generally required needs of
achieve better standards
users and
of service
to assist the services
and resource base.
Recommendations are made to initiate the network and make it
operational.
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Keywords
Information Science