Information strategy stands the test of time
| Date | 01 February 1996 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb045460 |
| Published date | 01 February 1996 |
| Pages | 157-161 |
| Author | Janice M. Blanton |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Brief Communication
Information strategy stands the test
of time
Janice M. Blanton
International
Atomic
Energy
Agency,
INIS
Section,
Division
of Scientific
and
Technical
Information,
Wagramer
Strasse
5,
PO Box
100,
A-1400
Vienna,
Austria
E-mail:
blanton@nepo1.iaea.or.at
Abstract:
The
decentralised information strategy upon which
the
International
Nuclear Information System (INIS) was established has stood the test of time.
INIS celebrated its 25th anniversary during
1995.
One of the world's early
international computerised systems, INIS
was
born in
1970
with
its
mission to
produce and disseminate a database containing records of the world's literature
on the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology, and full text of
non-conventional
(grey)
literature. Since that
time,
the INIS Database has grown
to over
1.8
million bibliographic records and abstracts. It continues to increase
by approximately 85
000
records each
year.
Additionally, INIS generates full-text
microfiche of approximately 20 000 non-conventional literature documents each
year as well
as
a number of other information products and services. As of 1976,
INIS could be considered the world's most comprehensive abstracting and
indexing service in the field of atomic
energy.
Ninety-four Member States
(countries) and
17
cooperating international organisations currently participate
in
INIS.
A decentralised operational philosophy
is
at the core of the information
strategies of the
organisation.
INIS
is,
in
effect,
an international information
cooperative made up of members who are the contributors as well as the
benefactors of the
system.
Participants get a return on their information
investment: member countries who publish and therefore contribute a few
records have access to the collective 85 000 records submitted annually by all
members, as well as to the full database. One of the major advantages of
decentralisation is that it tends to stimulate the establishment and improvement of
an international information infrastructure, as well as the transfer of modern
information
technology.
Systems such as
INIS,
which capitalise on information
technology
transfer,
information skills development and the use of standards for
information management and exchange, have contributed to paving
the
way for
the
global information highway envisioned today.
The
INIS decentralised global
information management strategy has stood the test of time and will be critical in
the future information
industry.
INIS will embrace the changes necessary to
remain in the forefront of the information society.
1.
Introduction
The International Nuclear Information
System has been operating for
25
years
using a decentralised information
strategy. Ninety-four Member States
(countries) and 17 cooperating inter-
national organisations currently par-
ticipate in INIS. The INIS Secretariat
provides the opportunity for countries
throughout the world to participate in
an international information coopera-
tive,
by which they can be both con-
tributors and benefactors of
nuclear-related scientific and techni-
cal information. Central to the decen-
tralised operational philosophy of
INIS is emphasis on:
• information technology transfer;
• information skills development;
• the use of standards for
information management and
exchange.
Benefits of international informa-
tion cooperation include:
• comprehensive coverage;
• effective method of handling
information in different
languages;
• return on information investment
by contributors;
• transfer of modem information
technology;
• the establishment of an
international information
community and infrastructure.
Systems such as INIS which capi-
talise on time-tested information man-
agement approaches have contributed
to setting the stage for the global infor-
mation highway envisioned by so
many today. Having a proven record
of international cooperation, INIS is
positioned to build on its experience
and participate actively in the building
of a global information infrastructure.
The Electronic Library, Vol. 14, No. 2, April 1996 157
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