Agricultural libraries information notes

42 Pages·1991·5.8 MB·English

by  National Agricultural Library (U.S.)

Historic, Archive Document
Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

73 3
olTZ.
/U
C,
USAIN Holds Inaugural Meeting
NAL
by Brian Norris, PublicAffairs Officer,
A With a focus on the future of agricultural information and with over 100
peopleparticipating,theinauguralmeetingoftheU.S.AgriculturalInforma-
gricultural tion Network (USAIN) was held November 7-9, 1990, at the University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
L
“I was pleased with the turnout and with what was accomplished at the
ibraries meeting,”saidJosephHoward,DirectoroftheNationalAgriculturalLibrary.
“Most people that I talked with felt likewise. If USAIN can build on the
nformation foroguanndiaztaitoinont.h”at was laid at this meeting, it will be a rerm°arkably effective
j
For several years, Howard and NAL have been active in helping to
establishUSAIN. HowardviewsUSAINasanidealvehicletobringtogether
ITlotes
organizations that are concerned with the accessibility ofagricultural infor-
mation. USAIN’scharteristostrengthen agriculturallibraries andinforma-
tion services and improve cooperation between these groups in sharing
agricultural informa-
MIL tion.
“The sharing of
agricultural informa-
tion among the agri-
National culturalresearchand
university communi-
Agricultural
ties in the United
Library
States is vital to the
continued success of
American agricul-
ture,” Howard said.
“USAIN members
recognize this fact
U.S. Department and are working to
ensure that sharing
of Agriculture
continues and im-
MD
Beltsville, proves.”
20705-2351 The 105 people
participating in this
first USAIN meeting
wereadiversegroup,
representing federal
and state govern-
ment agencies, pri-
photo j.swab vate industry, food
Ren6e Deter (Clemson), Robert Rubinyi (Minnesota), and companies, publish-
Jane Johnson (Illinois), prepart the demonstrations for the
technologysession ofthe3-day USAIN meeting.
Also in this issue...
FederalPre-WhiteHouseConf.onLibrary&Info.Services,pp. 11-14
Core Agricultural Literature Project, pp. 14-15, 40;Jan Olsen, p.16
NAL/NCSU ImageTransmission Project, NATDP, pp. 16
NewPublication, pp. 17-18; Information Centers, pp. 18-19, 32-33
NAL/USDA...Visit UMES asSmall Farm StudyGroup, pp. 22-27
Volume 17 NAL/ARS Sponsor Multicultural Festival, pp. 28-32
Number 2-3 StaffUpdate, pp. 20-22; Visitors, p. 34
New Bibliographies, pp. 35-36
NewSerials, pp. 36-38
February/March 1991 Publications Exchange, p. 38
Agriculture Datebook, pp. 39,38, 40
...and more
ISSN: 0095-2699
ALIN, Vol. 17, No. 2/3 2 February/March 1991
demonstrations of several new
information management sys-
tems including: the “CD-ROM
Sampler” of information by
USDA’s Extension Service; the
“Aquaduct: Numeric Data on
Tap” computer system by Cor-
nell University’s Mann Library;
andtheExtensionServiceInfor-
mation Resources—Whole
EarthDecisionService.
Keynote speaker at the
USAIN inaugural meeting was
formerSecretaryofAgriculture
Bob Bergland, who, at a lunch-
eon hosted by Cargill, Inc.,
stressed the importance of
cooperation among groups
maintaining agricultural infor-
mation.
At the one of the most
stimulatingsessionsofthemeet-
USAIN Local Arrangements Committee at the University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana:pho(tLo-:R)J.JSuwlaiba ing, a panel discussion of
Peterson,USAINPresident,CargillInformationCenter;RueOlson,IllinoisFarmBureau;BarbaraSwain, “Agricultural Information and
Universityof Illinois; Richard E.Wallace, A. E. StaleyMfg. Co.; Carol Boast, Chairperson, Universityof the Future,” the audience was
Illinois;JaneJohnson, Consultant (UniversityofIllinois); KayNorman, Universityof Illinois; and Diana treated to the views on this sub-
oPfolIkl,liDnoeies;rean&dCMoamrpiaanPyo;rtnao,tUpnrievseernsti:tyKoafreInlliNnoeiws.soTmhee,PIrlloignoriasmRePsleaanrncihng&CRoemfemrietntceeeCcenotnesri,stUendivoefrsJiotey jectbyspeakersfromtheprivate
Boykin, Clemson University; Beverlee French, University of California, Shields Library; and Julia sector, university administra-
Peterson. tion, library education, and the
computer world.
Dr.CurtisFarraroftheInter-
ing houses, and numerous universities and university national Food Policy Research Institute in Washington,
libraries. D.C., said that “world demand for agricultural information
Subjects covered during the three-days of meetings in- is growing because the needs of developing countries are
cluded: “Agricultural Information and the Future: Col- growing.” He mentioned particularly the needs ofEastern
laborative Planning and Consensus Building,” and “The European countries, which, since the recent change in that
Reference Process in Four Corporate Agricultural area’s political structure, are looking to the West for
Libraries: ASubjectApproach.” Participantsalsoreceived knowledge on improvingtheir farmingcapabilities.
Farrar said that decreasing funding for agricultural re-
search in the United States and the world will impact the
Keynote Speaker, Luncheon Session availability of agricultural information. Developing
countries are lookingto theWest for financial assistance in
(Facing page, clockwise from left): Bob Bergland, developingtheiragriculturalinformationresources,hesaid,
Keynote Speaker, Executive Vice President and General butthey“needtoallocatesomeoftheirownresourcesasan
Manager, National Rural Electric Cooperative Associa- indication oftheir commitment.”
tion, Secretary of Agriculture, 1977-81, U.S. Repre- Finally, Farrar pointed out that along with the informa-
sentative from the Minnesota Seventh Congressional tion management assistance provided to developing
District, 1971-77. countrieswill need to come “anenormous amount oftrain-
USAIN members at luncheon sponsored by Cargill ing and education” so the countries can use the resources
Information Center;JuliaC. Peterson,USAIN President, provided to them.
Cargill InformationCenter;John W. Beecher, past-presi- Farrar was followed by Janet Butts ofCargill, Inc., who
dent ofUSAIN, North DakotaState UniversityLibraries; spoke on the “critical” need for agricultural information
Orville G. Bentley, College ofAgriculture, University of skills by companies providing goods and services to the
Illinois, Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, Science and agricultural community. A company’s “agricultural library
Education, 1982-89. mustparticipateasamemberofthebusinessteam,”shesaid,
Speakers table (L-R) Reg Gomes, Dean, College of “distillinginformationforbusinessusessuchasmarketplan-
Agriculture, University ofIllinois; Bob Bergland; Orville ningand product development.”
Bentley; John Beecher; Mrs. Bentley; David F. Bishop, George Strawn from the Computation Center of Iowa
University Librarian, University of Illinois; Joseph H. State University, next gave a presentation in which he said
Howard, Director, National Agricultural Library; and “the information changes ofthe next 30 years will be more
JuliaPeterson. All photosbyJoseph N. Swab, NAL. significant than those ofthe last 30years.”
ALIN, Vol. 17, No. 213 3 Febniary/March 1991
ALIN, Vol. 17, No. 2/3 4 February/March 1991
Among his predictions were CD-
ROMs will be obsolete within 10 years
with magnetic memory taking over; the
1990swillbe thedecade oftheacademic
database; people will use computers
moretocommunicatewithotherpeople;
and “paperwill be outmoded in 10to20
years” with the advent of computer
booksthatwill“readthemselvestoyou.”
Strawnendedbysayingthat“thecom-
puter is the most important invention
since the invention ofhuman language.”
Finallyin this session, WilfLancaster
of the University of Illinois Graduate
School of Library and Information
Science cautioned to “avoid obsession
with technology (since) technology does
not hold all of the answers for informa-
tion management.”
Lancastersaidas an examplethat the
transfer ofthe card catalogto computer
has not improved access to information.
“Themoreinformationthereisonasub-
ject, the more difficult it becomes to ob-
Agricultural Information
and the Future
(Opposite page, clockwise from
rightcenter) USAINmembers attend-
ing the session on Agricultural Infor-
mation and the Future; the panel of
speakers; Janet Butts, Vice President,
DPM/Excel Foods Division, Cargill
Inc.; F. Wilf Lancaster, Professor,
GraduateSchoolofLibraryand Infor-
mation Science, University of Illinois;
Dr.CurtisFarrar,Consultant,Interna-
tional Food Policy Research Institute;
andGeorgeO.Strawn,Director,Com-
putationCenter,IowaStateUniversity.
PhotosbyJoseph N. Swab, NAL.
USAIN Committees and
Interest Groups m m
]»
(This page, top to bottom) gap
AGRICOLA Interest Group; Docu- JJSJy
ment Delivery Interest Group; Mem-
bership Committee; Telecommunica-
tions and NetworkingCommittee.
All of the persons attending this
USAINconferenceparticipatedinone
or more of the committee or interest tain,defineand sortthroughthatinformation,” hesaid. Thereisalso“ascatter
groupsessions: not all areshown here. problem” with needed information possibly located at sites throughout the
See also page 9. (Collection Manage- UnitedStates, he said.
ment Interest Group not shown.) Lancasteralsosaidthat“theglamourofthetechnologyhashadlittlepositive
PhotosbyJoseph N. Swab, NAL. effectontheimageoflibrarians”and“librariansnolongerknowwhotheirusers
ALIN, Vol. 17, No. 2/3 5 February/March 1991
ALIN, Vol. 17, No. 2/3 6 February/March 1991
are,whichcanhavenegativeeffectsonservices.” Finally,he USAIN would attempt to publish the proceedings of this
stated that “claims for expert systems and artificial intel- inaugural meeting. Editor of the proceedings is Eleanor
ligencearegrosslyinflated. Specializedinformationcenters Mathews, Information Services Librarian, Parks Library,
should fill this role.” Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011-2140; telephone:
A lively audience discussion followed these four presen- [phone]. The National Agricultural Library agreed
tations, with the speakers closely questioned about their to publish the proceedings with Joseph Swab coordinating
reasoning or to elaborate, while others expanded ideas the publication process.
touched upon or offered alternativeviews. Information onjoining USAIN maybe obtained by con-
OntheseconddayoftheUSAINmeeting,attendeeswere tacting the organization’s secretary/treasurer, Douglas
able to glean information on techniques for running an Jones. The address is:
agricultural library from representatives of four corporate Mr. DouglasJones
agriculturallibraries. Duringthissession,agriculturalinfor- AssistantHead, Science-EngineeringLibrary
mation specialists from Deere & Company, the American UniversityofArizona
FarmBureauFederation,Cargill-InternationalAgricultural Tucson,AZ85721
Data, and A.E. Staley explained how they operate in the Telephone: [phone].
often high-pressure environmentofthe corporateworld.
During the three-day USAIN meeting, the USAIN Ex-
ecutiveCouncilandvariousUSAINcommitteesalsometto USAIN Executive Council Meeting
discuss and recommend action on specific issues ofmutual The USAIN Executive Council met several times dur-
concern to all agriculturallibraries and information centers ing the course of the USAIN Inaugural Meeting to con-
and affectingthe future ofthe organization. JuliaPeterson,
PresidentofUSAINandmanageroftheCargillInformation duct the business of the organization. Planning for 1991
Center, chaired several ofthe main sessions ofthe USAIN activitieswashighontheagenda and includedthesecond
annual meetingtobeheld at theUniversityofMinnesota.
inaugural meeting and the Executive Council meetings.
It was decided during the final business session that froTmhetopExceecnutteirveinCtohuenscailme(Pohrodterosasonthepaggreou8p, cplhooctok)w:ise
Julia Peterson, President, Cargill Inc., Minneapolis,
MN; Douglas Jones, Secretary/Treasurer, University of
Speakers at the USAIN Inaugural Meeting Arizona, Tucson, AZ; Eleanor Mathews, Iowa State
(Opposite page, L-R, top row) “The Reference University,Ames,IA;SarahE.Thomas,NationalAgricul-
ProcessinFour CorporateAgriculturalLibraries: ASub- turalLibraryLiaison, Beltsville, MD; ElaineM.Albright,
jBeucrteaAup;prDoiaacnha.”PolRku,eDeOlesroen,&moCdoemraptaonry, I(lAlgirnioicsulFtuarraml UCnGivIeArsRitSyecorfetMaraiiante,,WoOrrlodnoB,anMkE,;WaEslheianngotronG,.DFCri(eSrisnonc,e
Engineering); Julia Peterson, Cargill Inc. (International moved to International Labor Office, Geneva, Switzer-
Agricultural Data); Sue Schultz, American Farm Bureau land); John W. Beecher, USAIN Past President, North
Federation (Agricultural Economics); and DickWallace, DakotaStateUniversityLibraries,Fargo,ND;andBever-
A. E. StaleyMfg. Co. (Agricultural Processing). leeFrench,sittinginforMarilynJ.Sharrow,Universityof
“Aqueduct: Numeric Data on Tap.” Marijo Wilson, California at Davis, CA; not attending, Susan K. Nutter,
Mann Library, Cornell University. North CarolinaState University, Raleigh, NC.
Sponsors, Training, Interest Groups
(Middle Row) “Extension Service Information
Resources: WEDS (Whole Earth Decision Service).” AmongthesponsorsandhostsoftheUSAINInaugural
Renee Deter, Clemson University. Meetingeventswere(seephotosonpage9,toprow)Carol
“CD-ROM Sampler: An Ag Extension Reference Boast, Director ofthe Agriculture Library, University of
Library.” Dr. Robert Rubinyi, University ofMinnesota, Illinois, and Chairperson of the Local Arrangements
Extension Service. Committee; Reg Gomes, Dean, College of Agriculture,
“Water Quality in Agriculture.” Bill Simmons, Assis- UniversityofIllinois; Patricia Endel, Executive Director,
tant Professor of Soil and Water Management, Depart- AssociatesoftheNationalAgriculturalLibrary;and(mid-
ment ofAgronomy, UniversityofIllinois. dlerow,left) RegGomesandDavidF.Bishop, University
“Highlights of NAL Programs, 1990.” Joseph H. Librarian, University of Illinois with Joseph Howard,
Howard, Director, NationalAgricultural Library. Director, NAL. Sponsors of USAIN events were the
AssociatesofNationalAgriculturalLibrary,CargillInfor-
(Bottom Row) “Agricultural Sustainability.” Peter mation Center, College ofAgriculture—University ofIl-
Bloome, Assistant Director, Cooperative Extension Ser- linois, Haworth Press, Illinois Farm Bureau, and the
viceStateProgram Leader, Natural ResourcesandCom- UniversityLibrary—UniversityofIllinois.
munityDevelopment, UniversityofIllinois. (bottom) Karl Schneider, NAL Reference and User
“Text Digitizing Project Update.” Judith A. Zidar, Services Branch, conducts an AGRICOLA Training
National Agricultural Library; Diana D. Shonrock, Iowa Course followingthe last USAIN session.
State University; Nancy L. Eaton, Iowa State University; (right)TheCatalogingInterestGroup(above),andthe
and Gerald McKiernan, Iowa State University. Rural Information Interest Group.
PhotosbyJoseph N. Swab, NAL. PhotosbyJoseph N. Swab, NAL.
ALIN, Vol. 17, No. 213 7 February/March 1991
ALIN, Vol. 17, No. 2/3 8 February/March 1991