USAIN's Letter of Support for Blue Ribbon Panel's Recommendations for NAL
10 September 2002
To Whom It May Concern,
The Executive Council of the United States Agricultural Information Network (USAIN) submits these comments on behalf of the USAIN membership. USAIN was created in 1988 in order to provide a forum for discussion of agricultural issues, take a leadership role in the formation of a national information policy as related to agriculture, make recommendations to the National Agricultural Library on agricultural information matters, and to promote cooperation and communication among its members. Since its inception, USAIN representatives have testified before a U.S. House Subcommittee, played an advisory role in the National Agricultural Text Digitizing Project, and written a national agricultural preservation plan. USAIN members represent a broad cross-section geographically and in terms of work settings -- from smaller branch or special libraries, to larger, centralized academic library settings. USAIN is in agreement with the recommendations made by the Interagency Panel for the Assessment of the National Agricultural Library and encourages the National Agricultural Research, Education, Extension, and Economics Advisory Board to move quickly to implement these suggestions.
Current funding levels have made it virtually impossible for the NAL to operate as a National Library as well as the Library of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It has been over ten years since PL 101-624 named the NAL a National Library of the United States yet little has changed in the way of funding or support. The recommended changes to information services, organization, evaluation, and leadership, outlined in the report offer opportunities for NAL resource enhancement at levels appropriate to ensure its future as a National Library.
Resource Enhancement - Essential Considerations:
Innovations in Information Services-
These services include the AGRICOLA database, the Agriculture Network Information Center (AgNIC), and the NAL Information Centers. These services are the public image of the Library and it is extremely important for them to be current, available in a timely manner and using the latest technologies.
Organizational Structure-
In order to carry out its mission and provide the above mentioned services the NAL needs to be able to hire and retain staff. This requires an increase in funding. This can be accomplished in a number of ways including authorizing the NAL to solicit and accept donations, and establishing a development officer. Organizing a Board of Regents similar to that at the NLM is another positive recommendation. While the NAL serves as the Library of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it also serves as a National Library of the United States (7 USCS 3125a 2001). As such, its mission is to serve not only the USDA, but also the nation. To reflect this mission, the NAL should report directly to the Secretary/Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
Planning and Evaluating Process-
The introduction of a formal five-year review by external reviewers is an excellent way to ensure progress on the long-range plan, maintain continued input from customers and internal advisory groups, and periodic examination of facilities requirements.
Leadership-
NAL needs to establish itself as the central hub of the world's agriculture libraries, continue to develop its role in the preservation of digital publications, as well as increasing access to this agriculture-related information.
In conclusion USAIN applauds the efforts of the Interagency Panel for the Assessment of the National Agricultural Library and supports the implementation of the recommendations outlined in their report.
Sincerely,
Dana W. R. Boden, Ph.D.
USAIN President
Associate Professor
C. Y. Thompson Library
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE 68583-0717
Phone: 402-472-4412
Fax: 402-472-7005
dboden@unlnotes.unl.edu
Jodee Kawasaki
USAIN President-Elect
MSU Libraries
P.O. Box 173320
Bozeman, MT 59717
Phone: 406-944-6549
alijk@gemini.oscs.montana.edu
Amy L. Paster
USAIN Past President
Head, Life Sciences Library
Pennsylvania State University
University Libraries
University Park, PA 16802-1811
Phone: 814-865-3708
Fax: 814-863-9684
alp@psulias.psu.edu
Sent to:
Dr. Susan McCarthy, Technical Information Specialist, USDA, ARS, National Agricultural Library, 10301 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705-2351