AGORA The FAO David Lubin Memorial Library, AGORA and Information for Developing Countries FAO, Rome Italy

Objectives The Mission of the FAO David Lubin Memorial Library Work with developing countries Important new program, AGORA, Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture Similar to HINARI

The Mission of the David Lubin Memorial Library Comprehensive and specialised technical library, information and documentation support to FAO staff Input to specific FAO programmes, and services to bona fide external users To support the role of FAO as a centre of excellence in food and agriculture Major technical role for the FAO field network

The FAO Library Considerable experience in working with scarce resources Vivid memory of pre-connectivity days a strong factor Knows agricultural libraries in developing countries have not received learned journals -- ten years Past two years worked with others to lay the groundwork for AGORA

Trends, Issues & Challenges General infrastructure uncertainties Overall erosion of library funding Decreasing proportion of funding for education & universities Universities forced to limit tuition increases because of market forces Entitlement to free or subsidized higher education under attack

Strengths Existing and evolving Networks Advanced state of the art of KM and IM in the developed world Digitizing Projects, US, UK, the Vatican, UN Agencies Highly developed specialized professional skills

Strengths - Quality Service Collection development and processing Interlibrary loan support network Reference services – 24 x 7 Document delivery service support-- AGLINET Automated services Current awareness services Digital library development service

A G L I N E T A G L I N E T A world wide network Large international agricultural libraries Working together to serve other member libraries Strong regional/country coverage Specialised subject resource collections Speedy inter-library services normally without charge Provide literature originating in the country, region or specialisation concerned

Weaknesses Weaknesses in the information marketplace, publishers, takeovers Electronic research journal monopoly Control of price and current and retrospective access to the most authoritative journals Uneven quality, access, archival standards and practices

Opportunities Distance Strategy for teaching and learning, international programs Open and flexible access to lifelong learning Electronic information delivery Partnerships Joint ventures with business concerns

Resource Rationalisation Partnerships Consortia Networks Shared common objectives Clear role definition Share development activities Share systems resources Shared achievements

Threats The age of "disintermediation” ? Or? Global electronic library is not a seamless digital realm Cannot "lend "access to site licensed electronic services Implications of common principles for indirect taxation on the internet. Threat of copyright infringement versus the web illusion of endless linkages

Develop Strategies Leverage resources by sharing existing collections or resources Develop virtual union catalogs Develop collective document and material delivery services that provide multiple access from member library holdings Reduce costs of library operations,

Strategies Determine and market comparative advantages Study Prototype Models - National Research Library Alliance (NRLA); Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) Seek new types of funding partners, publishers, media...

Conclusions Strategic Framework Depth & Diversity of Programs & Collections Multicultural & Bilingual Strengths Magnitude and Stability Learning Tradition Resource base Vision for the Future

A Few Footnotes … Structure of FAO Staff – 4,500 Headquarters Technical Departments FAO Country Offices (72) Sub-Regional Offices (5) Regional Offices (5) Note: All in developing or countries in transition.

Collection Development Over one and a half million volumes 6,100 active journals 4,000 electronic full text titles Over a million quality pages online Branch, reference librarians also identify quality free internet resources

Resource Savings - Interlibrary Loan Serving as the AGLINET secretariat Access to information resources which cannot afford to purchase AGLINET members in a co-operative network Co-ordinated by FAO library Collaboration for more efficient exchange of photocopies, electronic images and full text documents Benefits users in both developed and developing countries

Overcoming Budget Constraints… FAO, other United Nations Depository libraries, exchange agreements, AGRIS/CARIS AGLINET Electronic mail delivery Increased Internet free resources Other information initiatives, IFLA, training, IDRC