| [Back to front page] | Information Services Group Information Services continued to receive excellent support from management and user demands increased. In the library, one highlight was the visit in March by a consultant from the School of Library and Information Science of the University of Stuttgart who provided very useful recommendations for library development. These included establishing an information desk, a selective dissemination service, and providing computer network access to the CIFOR library catalogue. The implementation of these ideas has begun. A partner-targetted activity in the library focuses on the establishment of a transmission system to allow documents to be sent electronically to NARS and CGIAR partners and outposted CIFOR scientists. There was a considerable increase in the demand for Geographic Information System (GIS) services in 1997. Work was conducted mainly on projects related to forest ecosystem management (Sumatra), extrasectoral influences on forests (Bolivia) and impacts of logging (Kalimantan). Research projects on multiple resource management, criteria and indicators and non-timber forest products have indicated further demand for GIS services in 1998. A compilation of spatially referenced material on the Bulungan Research Forest was initiated. The Computer Services Unit faced a major challenge in maintaining services during the move of office to the new headquarters building. At the new premises, the infrastructure for full access to the CGIAR Integrated Voice and Data Network (IVDN) was developed. Besides the provision of services for internal users, the Unit developed plans to provide services for an increasing number of outposted staff and partners. These include remote access to our local area network and CD-ROM database collection over the internet. A draft structure for electronic archiving of documents was developed. 1997 was the most critical year for the development of CIFOR’s Management Information System (MIS). After its conceptualisation in 1996, the challenge was to implement and test the system, develop data input procedures and provide basic training both for end-users and application developers. These targets were met and a fully operational system is now in existence. The multimedia work of the Information Services Group was concentrated on the development of computer-based presentations. Feedback received on these presentations was very positive and encouraging. A project to create a CD-ROM-based archive of all CIFOR publications from 1993 to 1997 was initiated. The product is expected to be ready by mid-1998. On a more conceptual level, efforts continued to present information services to internal and external users in a more integrated framework. This initiative will increase user awareness about the variety and depth of services available, concentrating on the rapidly growing potential for electronic services. The establishment of an information desk will be one highly visible result of this effort. The ultimate goal is to improve services to scientists thus contributing to improved
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