Strategic issues in agricultural information, with special reference to developing countries : to serve their users better, information specialists must learn what the users really need and convince administrators of the value of their information

    Collection:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
    Contributers:
    Metcalfe, John R. (author / Director of Information Service, CAB International, Wallingford Oxon, UK)
    Format:
    Journal article
    Publication Date:
    1989-09
    Published:
    International: International Association of Agricultural Librarians and Documentalists
    Location:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 91 Document Number: C06526
    Journal Title:
    Quarterly Bulletin of the International Association of Agricultural Librarians and Documentalists
    Journal Title Details:
    34 (3) : 113-117
    Subject Term:
    developing nations, information dissemination, information issues, information needs, information services, information sources, information specialists, and library services
    Notes:
    Keynote address presented at the IAALD Regional Conference; 1988 November 21-24; the Universiti Pertanian, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia, The factors limiting the effective use of agricultural information in developing countries are identified as: lack of knowledge about the users' needs; inadequate access and/or lack of awareness of conventional and unconventional sources of information; lack of attention to the creation of local data sources; lack of knowledge about how to find information and how best to communicate it. The solutions are seen to be: creating an awareness of the value of information; getting governments and agencies to provide the necessary information sources, equipment, staff and training; getting closer cooperation on information initiatives and projects that really are needed. The key issue is seen to be the lack of a global long-term plan that could be used as a guide for individual governments and agencies. (original)

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