The role of the information professional in development

Abstract

The third in a series of articles on the activities of the Information Sciences Division (ISD) of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). Presents a brief literature review of the evolving role of the information specialist; discusses IDRC's support of projects which contain implicit and explicit functions for the information professionals involved in identifying information needs and in processing, retrieving, repackaging and disseminating the acquired information to targeted audiences for development purposes. This provides many opportunities and, with always limited resources, many challenges. Describes specific roles involved in establishing networks, operating non-bibliographic information systems, designing subject- specific projects, implementing national and regional infrastructures for information systems, and introducing automation of information services. Examples are provided from countries and projects. IDRC's Library is also described briefly. Concludes that the information specialist's role can best be understood as 'facilitator and communicator'—but the choice is wide open.