Volnet UK
| Pages | 36-42 |
| Published date | 01 January 1992 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb040472 |
| Date | 01 January 1992 |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management |
Volnet UK
Describes a central database
host
providing
indi-
viduals
and
institutions with low-cost access
to
in-
formation
of
importance
to
those working
in the
community
or
voluntary
sector.
Three databases
are
held:
1)
a general
purpose
file of bibliographic
references (with a complementary document
sup-
ply
service),
2)
a
list of
research being carried out
in
the UK (and soon to include North American
pro-
jects),
and
3) details
of
prospective
UK parliamen-
tary
candidates.
Introduction
Volnet UK
is
a central database service of-
fering information in the community and
voluntary sector. In addition to online ac-
cess to the databases offered by the host,
Volnet offers a document supply service
whereby photocopies of articles and press
clippings referenced on the database may
be requested (subject to copyright regula-
tions).
The service operates on a not-for-profit
basis and facilities have been donated by a
number of
organisations.
Access is via com-
munications facilities provided by Mercury,
the search software (Headfast) was donated
by Head Software International, IBM have
provided a marketing budget and the Home
Office pay the salary of a full-time training
and marketing person - the only salaried
employee of Volnet.
The network is jointly managed
by
The Vol-
unteer Centre UK and the Community De-
velopment Foundation and is hosted by the
Polytechnic of North London.
The databases
The databases held on the Volnet machine
are:
• Current Volnet, January 1989 to date
• Volnet, up to December 1988
These two files between them comprise the
largest database held and take the name of
the service. The scope of the information
provided can be indicated by a look at some
of the topics covered:
arts and recreation
business and enterprise
community care
community development
economic development
education and training
employment
environmental issues
health and the health services
housing and homelessness
local government
planning
racial and cultural issues
social policy
social welfare
youth affairs
Information
is
currently supplied by four
agencies:
• Barnardo's
• Community Development Foundation
• National Youth Agency
• Volunteer Centre
which supply records in machine-readable
form from their own files. The data is con-
verted by Volnet to a common format and
merged into the Volnet database.
The database has items dating back to the
1970s although the majority are post-1983.
Over 200 journals, including daily news-
papers, pressure group newsletters and
36 -
VINE
86 (March 1992)
To continue reading
Request your trial