Upgrading Agricultural Information Services in China: the impact of CD-ROM

Abstract

Records the findings and recommendations of the final evaluation of an agricultural information project in China. The project was funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) from 1992 to 1995 and implemented by the Scientech Documentation and Information Centre of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SDIC/CAAS), in collaboration with CAB International (CABI). The aim was to upgrade Chinese agricultural information services by establishing a network of CD-ROM workstations throughout the country and strengthening the services of SDIC/CAAS in Beijing. The final evaluation was conducted in May-June 1995 by staff from ADB, CABI and SDIC/CAAS. Data were collected by means of questionnaires, interviews, face-to-face discussions and round table meetings and used to evaluate the performance, effectiveness and impact of the new services. Considers the implications of the findings for: the library and information community; the user community; the management community; and the wider community, and present the recommendations of the evaluation report with regard to future developments.

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References

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The proposed consortium has already been formed. SDIC and CABI have recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement whereby CABI has offered a substantial discount and SDIC will organize bulk purchase.