United States Agricultural Information Network/International
Association of Agricultural Information Specialists Joint Conference, April 3-5, 1997,
Tucson, Arizona
The Information Frontier: Linking People and Resources in a Changing World
by Mary Cassner, Dana W. R. Boden, and Robin McBride Subject Specialist/Liaison
Librarians, C. Y. Thompson Library, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Thanks to Lillian Mesner, University of Kentucky, and Margaret Merrill, Virginia Tech,
for their input regarding the ConcurrentInterest Group Panel Presentations.
Photographs by Joseph N. Swab, ALIN Editor, NAL (unless otherwise indicated).
The first ever United States Agricultural Information Network (USAIN) /International
Association of Agricultural Information Specialists (IAALD) Joint Conference and
Pre-Conference Workshops were held in Tucson, Arizona, April 2-5, 1997. The conference
theme was "The Information Frontier: Linking People and Resources in a Changing
World." Conference attendance numbered close to 200 persons, representing over 35
countries, giving the conference a true international flavor. U.S. participants included
representation from the National Agricultural Library, land-grant institutions,
corporations, other libraries, information providers, and vendors.
USAIN Executive Council, Continuing members: Toni Powell (President) 
USAIN Executive Council, Anne Fox, outgoing director. 
USAIN Executive Council, Dana Boden, outgoing director. 
USAIN Executive Council, Amy Blair (Secretary/Treasurer) 
USAIN Executive Council, Robyn Frank (NAL Liaison) 
USAIN Executive Council, Cynthia Via (Past President) 
USAIN Executive Council, Barbara Hutchinson (Director) 
USAIN Executive Council, Andrea Powell (Director) 
USAIN Executive Council, Newly elected to the USAIN Council Rita Fisher
(President-Elect) 
USAIN Executive Council, Newly elected as a USAIN Council Director, Debbie Currie
USAIN Executive Council, Newly elected as a USAIN Council, Director, Kay Mowery
USAIN Executive Council, Newly elected as a USAIN Council, Director, Irwin
Weintraub 
USAIN Executive Council, Newly elected to the USAIN Council, Director, Pat Wilson
The Executive Board of IAALD and the USAIN Executive Council each held meetings before
the official Conference start. Attendees arriving prior to the official conference opening
ceremonies on Thursday had the option of attending a variety of pre-conference workshops.
On Wednesday, "Living in the Learning Organization: Change Support and Process
Improvement" discussed the concept and practical use of the Learning Organization.
Shelley Phipps and Carrie Russell from the University of Arizona served as facilitators
for the workshop.
Dottie Heise and Susan Wilzer (speaking)
conducted the pre-conference workshop, "AGRICOLA: Trends and Tips.
Half-day pre-conference work-shops and their facilitators included: "Introduction
to the Internet and World Wide Web" and "Advanced Internet and World Wide
Web," both facilitated by Laura J. Bender and Ann Eagan of the University of Arizona;
"AGRICOLA: Trends and Tips," by Susan Wilzer and Dottie Heise, U.S. National
Agricultural Library; "Bringing GIS to Library Users: Introduction and
Overview," by Craig The U.S./Central
and Eastern European Agricultural Library Roundtable met for two days prior to the
Conference opening. A Roundtable report follows in this issue of ALIN.
An IAALD Board meeting before the Joint Conference opened. (L-R) Janeti Bombini de
Moura, Jodee Kawasaki, Toni Powell, Margot Bellamy, YU Ge, Jan van der Burg, Carol Boast
Robertson, Pamela André, Edith Hesse, Anton Mangstl, and Thiendou Niang.
Speakers and Moderators (L-R) Sylvia Piggott, Pamela Andre, Toni Powell, and Jan
van der Burg.
Toni Powell and Jan van der Burg, USAIN and IAALD Presidents respectively, gave the
introductions and welcomes at the opening session, along with Barbara Hutchinson,
Conference and Program Chair; Pamela André, Director of the National Agricultural
Library; and, Sylvia Piggott, President of the Special Libraries Association.
Dr. Marcos Kisil
of the W.R. Kellogg Foundation.
Thursday's keynote speaker, Dr. Marcos Kisil of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, spoke on
the topic, "Provider/User Relationship in Information Systems: The Perspective of the
Developing World." Dr.Kisil stated that developing countries need to begin the
process of change at the local level. Technology must be adapted and applied in ways that
will not widen the gap between the have and have nots. The role of librarians is to build
bridges between the producers and users of information.
Jodee Kawasaki
moderator for "Strategic Planning: Managing Change."
Tim Cullen
moderator for "Enjoying the Privatization Process and Thriving in Periods of Dramatic
Chang
Two sets of workshops followed the keynote address and refreshment break. Jodee
Kawasaki, Montana State University, moderated the first group, "Strategic Planning:
Managing Change." Tim Cullen, from the Natural Resources Institute in the United
Kingdom, presented "Enjoying the Privatization Process and Thriving in Periods of
Dramatic Change: A Case Study from the Agricultural Documentation Sector." The
presentation covered the privatization of the Natural Resources Institute from an
anecdotal perspective. For those who might encounter a similar situation in the future,
Cullen stressed the importance of good communication with staff as well as retaining a
positive attitude and a sense of humor.
Joseph Judy
gave the presentation "WAICENT: The World Agriculture Information Center."
Joseph Judy of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) office in Rome, Italy, gave
the second presentation, "WAICENT: The World Agriculture Information Center."
Judy described the FAO and discussed FAOINFO Info Flow, FAOSTAT Info Flow, FAOSIS Info
Flow, WAICENT Benefits, and the FAO Home Page. The URL for the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations is:
http://www.fao.org
Dr. Friedrich's
topic was, "The German Agricultural Information Network (Deutsches
Agrarinformationsnetz, DAINet) - Goals, State of the Art and Future Perspectives."
Dr. H. Friedrich represented the Zentralstelle für Agrardokumentation und Information
located in Germany. His topic was, "The German Agricultural Information Network
(Deutsches Agrarinformationsnetz, DAINet)--Goals, State of the Art and Future
Perspectives." An update and discussion of DAINet was offered as well as future plans
for the database.
Kay Mowery
moderated the workshop on "Designing Information Tools."
Corinne de Garcia
gave a presentation on "Designing Information Tools."
Edith Hesse
gave a presentation on "Designing Information Tools."">
Jane Johnson
gave a presentation on "Designing Information Tools."
Fernando Garcia
gave a presentation on "Designing Information Tools."
Miguel Efren Orozco
gave a presentation on "Designing Information Tools.""
Kay Mowery, Georgia Experiment Station Library, moderated the secondset of workshops,
"Designing Information Tools." Corinne de Gracia, Edith Hesse, Jane Johnson,
Fernando Garcia, Miguel Efren Orozco, Estela Amador, and Jose Juan Caballero of the CIMMYT
Library in Mexico made the first presentation, "Adapting a Second Generation
Integrated Library System (ILS) and Extending It to Users Worldwide via the
Internet." They explained the process and criteria used in choosing, transferring,
and implementing this library database which is available through the Internet.
S. Srinivas
gave a presentation on "Semi-Arid Tropical Crops Information Service (SATCRIS). A
Decade Later: Impact of this service on Agricultural Scientists."
The middle presentation in this series was "Semi-Arid Tropical Crops Information
Service (SATCRIS). A Decade Later: Impact of this Service on Agricultural
Scientists." Presenter S. Srinivas, from the ICRISATin India, described SATCRIS
products and services provided by ICRISAT. One of the goals of this agency is to increase
outreach in order thatadditional scientists are aware of the available services. Attendees
were encouraged to learn more at:
http://www.cgiar.org/ICRISAT
Neil Upali Yapa's
presentation was "AGRINET Integrated Information System (AIIS) of Sri Lanka
The third presentation, "AGRINET Integrated Information System (AIIS) of Sri
Lanka: An Information System for Library Automation in Developing Countries, " was
given by Neil Upali Yapa of the International Irrigation Management Institute in Sri
Lanka. The AGRINET Integrated Information System provides for acquisitions, cataloging,
circulation, serials control, and current awareness. A union catalog, union list, and
national bibliography contribute to the libraries ability to share resources.
Marcela Chrenekova
talks to John Metcalfe at the International Food Information Service exhibit. Metcalfe was
also the facilitator for the pre-conference workshop on FSTA.
(L-R) Jan van der Burg, IAALD President, Carol Boast Robertson, Thiendou Niang of
Centre Technique de Cooperation Agricole et Rurale (CTA), Rita Fisher, and Jane Johnson.
At the first formal luncheon of the joint conference, Robertson, Fisher, and Johnson
presented IAALD with a check for $35,000 from the sale of Agricultural Information
Resource Centers: A World Directory 1995, which they edited and which IAALD and CTA
sponsored.
Jan van der Burg, IAALD President, served as moderator for the luncheon program. He
recognized international visitors and sponsors for the USAIN/IAALD Joint Conference. Jane
Johnson, Rita Fisher, and Carol Boast Robertson presented IAALD with a check for $35,000
from the sale of Agricultural Information Resource Centers: A World Directory1995,
which they edited. The luncheon speaker was Thiendou Niang, from the Netherlands. He is
employed in Information and Capacity Development by Centre Technique de Cooperation
Agricole et Rurale. Speaking on "Information Partnerships in a Changing World--a
viewfrom Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific," Niang stated that theThird World
Countries are becoming increasingly democratic and have broad information needs.
Technology is the tool of choice to further the progress of development. Linkages to other
countries, partnerships, and networking are now the norm.
Ann Fiegen
University of Arizona, Moderator
Marita Acha's
presentation was entitled "Smallholder Agriculture in Peru: Access to
Information."
Conference attendees had the opportunity to select from three series of programs which
were offered simultaneously. Ann Fiegen, University of Arizona, served as moderator for
the first session. Marita Acha from the Centro Peruano de Estudios Sociales in Lima gave a
presentation entitled, "Smallholder Agriculture in Peru: Access to Information."
Acha described the geography, agricultural zones, farm sizes, social groups, and languages
of Peru that affect the type of information that is required and its accessibility. It was
Acha's view that current information systems need to be restructured if they are to serve
small farmers or peasants.
Elizabeth Goldberg
presented "International Electronic Partnerships in Management of Grey
Literature."
Elizabeth Goldberg from the Centro Internacional de AgriculturaTropical (CIAT) in
Colombia presented "International Electronic Partnerships in Management of Grey
Literature." Goldberg described the development of a networked information source for
grey literature dealing with Latin American natural resources management in agriculture.
She also reported the results of a study of how well the system worked, pinpointing the
areas (technical, economic, and social) where the system had not performed up to
expectations. She also gave perspectives on funding and on partnerships.
Margot Bellamy
from CAB International addressed "CAB International's CD-ROM Sponsorship Program:
Some New Initiatives."
Qiaoqiano Zhang, Margot Bellamy, and Stephen Rudgard, from CAB International, addressed
"CAB International's CD-ROM Sponsorship Program: Some New Initiatives." Bellamy
reviewed CABI's role inproviding information technology and resources to developing
countries. Findings of an evaluation of performance and effectiveness included some
constraints in providing service in Africa because of the limited technology skills of
information specialists as well as users unfamiliarity with the technology. Demand for
CABI resources increased in China thanks to a policy enforcing the use of published
informationin the research process.
Anita Battiste
University of Florida, Moderator.
Tricia Larner
gave the initial presentation, "Off the Dirt Track: Connecting Australian Beef
Producers to the Internet."
Anita Battiste, University of Florida, moderated the second series of presentations.
Tricia Larner, representing the Tropical Beef Centre of the Commonwealth Scientific
Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia, gave the initial presentation,
"Off the Dirt Track: Connecting Australian Beef Producers to the Internet."
Larner discussed a program to connect rural beef producers in Australia. Specific projects
included MECIS, an electronic communication and information system for the meat industry;
Farmwide's "1000 Farmers Online;" Rural Women and Communication, addressing
gender issues and technology; and Internet Content for Farmers' Analysis to analyze
accessibility and presentation. General challenges include an inadequate telecommunication
infrastructure, lack of standard costs,and user education issues.
Peter Walton
spoke about "Improving Access to Agricultural Information in the Rural Areas in
Fiji."
Peter Walton from the Pacific Regional Agricultural Programme in Fiji, spoke about
"Improving Access to Agricultural Information in the Rural Areas in Fiji."
Factors that limit service to Fiji farmers include the large number of islands that
compose Fiji, geographical distance and travel considerations, small budgets, and
inadequate telecommunications. Walton plans to establish a resource center containing
newsletters, newspapers, books, posters, and leaflets.
"A 'Web Without Frontiers:' Building European Partnerships on the
Internet" was the subject of the talk by Chris Addison.
"A `Web Without Frontiers:' Building European Partnerships on the Internet"
was the subject of the talk by Chris Addison from Communique in Ireland. Addison is a
consultant who collaborated with Peter Ballantyne of the European Center for Development
and Policy Management (ECDPM) on specific projects. Covered in the presentation was
creation of Addison's and Ballantyne's web site which emphasized links to a few good
sites. Issues included creating a multi-aspect, dynamic, complex, integrated, and easy to
publish site using good navigation, retrieval, and mapping networks. URLs mentioned
include:
http://www.oneworld.org and
http://www.nri.org
Eleanor Mathews
Iowa State University, Moderator.
Pamela André
gave a joint presentation with Michal Demes "Accomplishments of the U.S./Central and
Eastern European Agricultural Library Roundtable."
Michal Demes
gave a joint presentation with Pamela André "Accomplishments of the U.S./Central and
Eastern European Agricultural Library Roundtable."
Eleanor Mathews, Iowa State University, moderated the third session which began with
Pamela André, Director of the U. S. National Agricultural Library, and Michal Demes,
Director of the Institute of Scientific and Technical Information for Agriculture in the
Slovak Republic, making a joint presentation: "Accomplishments of the U.S./Central
and Eastern European Agricultural Library Roundtable." André stated the U.S. policy
goal of supporting developing democracies and gave the history, objectives, and
accomplishments of the Roundtable. Demes said that the purpose of the Roundtable is to aid
Central and Eastern European librarians in information technology. The Internet is
important to these librarians to facilitate cooperation with the FAO, NAL, and other
centers in the United States, Europe, andAfrica. Demes also demonstrated a multi-media
CD-ROM product, "Slovakia for the World."
Dr. Jana Skládalová
discussed, "Progress in computerization Activities in the Czeck Republic."
Dr. Jana Skládalová, Director of the Central Food Library at the Institute of
Agricultural and Food Information in the Czech Republic,discussed, "Progress in
Computerization Activities in the Czech Republic." Skládalová described the
structure, characteristics, and automation efforts of public libraries, libraries of
higher-learning institutions, and national scientific libraries in the Czech Republic. She
also discussed the Czech Agricultural Information Network. Member institutions include the
Institute of Agricultural and Food Information, four higher-learning institutions for
agriculture, and various other agricultural information centers. Librarians use e-mail and
the Internet to discuss similar problems that may be occurring inother countries and seek
suggestions for improvements requiring aminimum of funding.
Tomaz Bartol
gave the last presentation for this series, "Present State and Possible future Role
of AGRIS in the Library Community."
The last presentation in the series, "Present State and Possible Future Role of
AGRIS in the Library Community," was given by Tomaz Bartol, Head of the Slovenian
National AGRIS Centre. AGRIS is a global information system that is especially important
in smaller countries asa means for younger scientists to present their research. Possibly
inthe future the AGRIS system may include full-text via the Internet and AGRIS may provide
greater assistance in publishing articles, for example, advising authors on how to improve
their publications.
