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CGVlibrary

The Virtual Library Service project, under the Information and Communication Technology/Knowledge Management program (ICT/KM), is well on the way to implementing the CGVLibrary, which will provide integrated access to a wide range of information resources in agriculture to researchers of the Consultative Group on International Research (CGIAR) and national agricultural research system (NARS) partners.

As of May 2006, hardware and software have been selected and installed, and over 100 different information resources have been described and configured to support searches across databases.

There remains, however, more to be done to further increase the effectiveness and efficiency of this vital tool for researchers. A second phase of the CGVLibrary project aims to broaden and deepen the integration of important information resources in agriculture, facilitating their use by researchers, and publicizing the availability of and access to the service to researchers within and beyond the CGIAR. Phase I has already drawn on a wide range of CGIAR resources and staff. Phase II will require the mobilization of even greater resources and cooperation within CGIAR organizations and networks, and beyond.

Objectives

The specific objectives of Phase II add value by:

Increasing the number of information resources available through the CGVLibrary to include Center catalogues not currently accessible, high value bibliographic databases maintained by Programs, open access archives and partners' information resources;
Ensurimg that Centers' e-publishing efforts and Center publications databases are integrated and thus accessible through the CGVLibrary;
Ensuring the Centers' image library databases are integrated and accessible through the CGVLibrary;
Increasing access to information resources for NARS partners;
Improving access to full text material;
Improving access to material by helping partners to implement standards that permit deeper levels of searching;
Developing mechanisms for optimizing searching by targeting categories of information resources;

To maximize utilization of the service, we will

Market CGVLibrary services and provide necessary training;
Assist the CGXchange team to enable single sign on when accessing the CGVLibrary through CGXchange;
Expand access to commercial resources to all CG staff regardless of location; and
Maintain and develop the technical Infrastructure for the CGVLibrary.