Virtual Library Service

THRUST 2: Content for Development (C4D)

The ever-increasing use of the Internet with its wide application as a means of delivering information, along with the growing quantity of electronic texts available, present challenges in ensuring that end users are able to access pertinent information in a simple, direct and effective way. The emphasis in the CGIAR on cross-institutional research and the development of Challenge programs have made the CGIAR libraries more dependent on cross-cutting research initiatives, through which relevant information may be found. Being able to search across the entire range of bibliographic information products, including those from the CGIAR System itself, is necessary to facilitate the evolution of the CGIAR from a Center-based system to a distributed operation.

Objectives

The Virtual Library Service activity will integrate access to library and information resources, both within and outside the CGIAR, through an integrated, standards-based searching of bibliographic databases using a common-user interface, standard protocols and easy linkage to full text documents.

Outcomes

This activity will create a CGIAR web-based virtual library, where researchers at any location and at any time will have easy networked access to a variety of electronic library services. This will provide one-stop shopping through the VRC for identifying, locating and using a variety of high quality information resources, such as full text documents, bibliographic databases, online reference tools, citation indexes and document delivery services. Researchers will also have integrated one-search access to all CGIAR information materials as described in the CGIAR library catalogs. Moreover, CGIAR researchers will have desktop access, via the Virtual Library Service, to the wide range of information available over the Internet on free, commercial and licensed sites in the area of agricultural science.

Lead Administrative Center

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Project Coordinator

Luz Marina Alvare, Head of Library and Knowledge Management Unit (IFPRI)

Project Status

Commencement date: January 2005
Planned duration of project: 18 months

For More Information

Contact us at ictkm@cgiar.org