Lancaster, F.W.Prof.Kebede, Gashaw2020-06-032023-11-182020-06-032023-11-181992-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/12345678/21412The 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.enInformation ScienceThesis