information analysis, repacking and consolidation services...

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Special and research libraries

Information Analysis, Repacking and Consolidation

Services in Special Libraries

1. Introduction

Special libraries are central within the method of information transfer to its users with special

desires. These libraries are featured with an assortment of various information sources in different

formats. With this dynamical nature of information the services provided by special library modified

and thus by the appearance of technology the supply of information has also conjointly modified.

Special libraries are established to serve the users like doctors, scientists, administrators, corporate

etc., who had special needs. These library services are categorically offered at two levels one at the

fundamental and alternative at the intermediate level. Fundamentally, the special libraries

disseminate the specialised information by responding the quires of the specialised users either in

form of detailed information or in packets through research and technical journals concerning the

recent problems, updates and developments in a very discipline. At the higher level the complex

information / literature searches are performed, bibliographies, CAS and SDI services are offered to

the users. Typically in libraries a critical evaluation is not administered and therefore the resulted

information is commonly a non vital and non-evaluated. So as on to supply critical evaluated

information the extremely specialised services are used. Such services emphasis the evaluation of

contents evaluation of information, condense and repackaging in an appropriate usable format for

the said/ target user, timely.

In this section these highly specialised services known as „information analysis; repackaging and

consolidation services‟ are discussed. Additionally, the activities and products are further discussed

with the help of some of the information consolidation services and centre in India.

2. Need and Genesis of Information Analysis, Consolidation and Repackaging In Special

Libraries

A plethora of literature/ information on any subject these days signals a most alarming fashionable

information downside. There is a scarcity of applicable information which may be comprehended,

assimilated and used for its users and potential users for their specific need. On one hand there‟s a

given topic, encompasses a surplus of literature, on the other hand an amazing majority of potential

users who might be benefited from the information therein literature cannot use it. The use and

impact of information are the central issues for all information professionals, likewise as for the

entire information infrastructure. Whereas the concept of information consolidation was developed

primarily in concert of the suggests that for assuaging information issues in developing countries,

and for serving in technology transfer, the instructed processes, products, and advantages are

universally applicable, notwithstanding what the stage of development. The value of such

information does not belong its existence (or even within the systems that assure its handiness and

accessibility), however in its acceptance and use. In turn, probabilities for acceptance and use of

information are increased by its being more appropriate. Consolidated information aims at being

more appropriate to the users, their needs, and levels, the capacities and time allotments given to

information absorption and similar user-related factors.

3. Information consolidation

UNESCO Symposium on Information Analysis and Consolidation (held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 12-

15 September, 1978) gave the following definition: “Information Consolidation Activities is used to

define the responsibilities exercised by individuals, departments or organizations for evaluating and

compressing relevant documents in order to provide definite user groups with reliable and concise

Information Analysis, Repacking and Consolidation Services in Special Libraries

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new body of knowledge. Individuals or groups of individuals performing information consolidation

activities would each constitute an Information Consolidation Unit.”

Saracevic and Wood (1981) gave the following elaborate definition: “Consolidated Information is

public knowledge specifically selected, analyzed, evaluated, and possibly restructured and

repackaged for the purpose of serving some of the immediate decisions, problems and information

needs of a defined clientele or social group, who otherwise may not be able to effectively and

efficiently access and use this knowledge as available in the great amounts of documents or in its

original form. The criteria for selection, evaluation, restructuring, and repackaging of this

knowledge are derived from the potential clientele.” In other words consolidation of information

refers to providing the right information for the right person in the right form and at the right time.

3.1. Process of information analysis, consolidation and repackaging

Prior to analysis and synthesis of the information following aspects required to be resolved:

„Determination of an associate structure and rationalisation pattern for the contents or

characteristics of information to be analyzed and synthesized, i.e. creation of a table of contents,

a classification or codification scheme, a typology, or key to characteristics on the idea of that

information is first analyzed and so synthesized.

Consideration of the objectives, resources, constraints at intervals that analysis and synthesis are

to be performed.

Determination of evaluative criteria to be used because the basis for analysis and synthesis‟.

Without specific guidelines from these three areas no vital and realistic analysis may well be

performed.

Figure 1: Process of Information Analysis, Consolidation and Repackaging

Figure 1 summarizes the processes, elements, and relations concerned in information consolidation.

Information consolidation is associated with a variety of information activities like abstracting and

indexing, so it is a method of complexness and demands in human technical and economic

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resources. The process of information analysis, consolidation and repackaging involves the

subsequent steps as it follows a selection and evaluation, and involves an approach that is crucial

would supported by cooperation between subject and information specialists.

3.1.1 Step 1: Selection of Information Source

Selection is a crucial step in the process of information analysis, consolidation and

repackaging determines the content of information consolidation services and products. Selection

includes evaluation and is a basic, essential and indivisible a part of information consolidation.

Selection requires a selection policy, selection aids and tools, and specification of a selection

process.

A selection policy involves the statement regarding users and needs; subject, topic, or mission to be

dealt with and kind of information sources and materials to be covered.

Selection aids and tools guides in selection and facilitate verification. These aids are the tools that

facilitate to spot materials applicable for considering in selection are summarised in Table 1.

Specifications of a selection process involve decisions on procedures for judging: intrinsic values

of information in sources; and demand and user appropriateness. The procedures for judging

intrinsic values: concerned is judgment of the quality, validity, and reliability of materials selected.

The strategy of making judgment is directly on the premise of expressed or unstated evaluation

criteria and should embody examination of „reviews and state-of-the-art of a topic, refereeing and

peer review and citation indexes‟. Various other results can be obtained, like co-citation patterns or

bibliographical couplings are tabulated in Table 1. There are procedures which can be concerned in

selection are: comparison (data on the same aspect from completely different sources is compared

for similarities and variations and selection made accordingly) and testing (data is tested during a

sort of ways that or samples are recollected to ascertain its reliability). Procedures for judging

demand and user appropriateness: these involve deciding the utility of materials that pass the

selection on their own intrinsic value. Other procedures concerned are: connexion feedback, use

analysis, demand analysis, user tests and consultation.

Table 1. Process of selection

Sel

ection

Elements Essentials/ characteristics/ examples

Selection

policy

Users and user needs The characteristic of users

and uses which form the

foundation for selection

Subject Discipline oriented

Coverage of the subjects that present the traditional areas of learning:

chemistry, metallurgy, electrical engineering, ferrocement, mining, viral

hepatitis, linguistics, etc.

Material

mission or problem

oriented

Interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary coverage involving a number of

subjects and topics relevant to a specific problem, a commodity, or

activity, e.g. Rubber, rice, renewable energy, irrigation, business,

transportation, sanitation, alcoholism, government, legislation,

appropriate technologies,

Details about the

information sources to be

collected i.e. The actual

sources from which

information consolidation

will be made.

Characteristics of sources are enumerated, e.g. Language, country of

origin, publishing or issuing organizations, authors, format, media,

structure, sophistication level

Selection

aids

Basic bibliographies. National union catalogs, union lists of serials, lists of in-print and out-of-

print books, pamphlet bibliographies, etc. To serve as aids in selection

and in verification (spelling of author's name, checking what's in print,

where to order, what was published last month or year, what a publisher

issues, costs

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Selected lists. Annotated and nonannotated lists of materials pertaining to given types

of libraries or information centers (lists of materials recommended for

small colleges, public libraries, businesses); evaluated lists in given

subjects (civil engineering, international law, schistosomiasis) or given

missions or programs (malaria eradication, nutrition, family planning,

solar energy); lists of publications by government or international

agencies (UNESCO, FAO, INIS, NASA) - also subdivided by subjects;

lists of materials including pamphlets for popular use (field manuals,

construction, literacy campaigns); etc.

Reviews.

These pertain to evaluated or critical overviews of particular titles, e.g.

Particular books, pamphlets, monographs, journals, articles, films. The

title reviews can appear in specialized review publications oriented

toward the general public or toward libraries;

Formal Reading of few reviews, comparison, committee selection meetings for

commissioned reviews, etc.

Informal Gathering impressions and opinions of others

Reference books and

directories.

Handbooks, directories (of periodicals, manufacturers, organizations),

who's who, biographies

Content tables. Journals in given subjects viz. Current contents, management contents,

etc.), title and contents pages of books; content descriptions of films or

other non print materials;

Indexing and

abstracting sources

and services.

- -

SDI services - -

New title

information

new books, pamphlets, films, journals are usually announced in a

number of ways: press releases, publisher catalogs and announcements,

book exhibits, mass media articles, advertisements, lists of new

publications by organizations

Invisible colleges

Informal communications, information about materials obtained

through word-of-mouth, professional contacts and inquiries,

correspondence, attendance at meetings, etc.

Selection

process

Selectors Information specialists, librarians, experts in given subjects, committees

involving either one or both, committees also involving users.

Procedures for

judging intrinsic

values

Judgment of the

Quality, validity, reliability

of materials select

Reviews and state-of-the-

arts of a topic:

Those reviews done by recognized experts in the field, include

synthesis, evaluative judgments and citations of usually highly selected

literature on a given topic

Refereeing and peer

review

The method involves consensus among peers (experts) in the given

area, suitable for selection of scientific materials.

Citation indexes

Involves an analysis of the amount of citations received by an item, an

author, an institution, a journal,

Procedures for

judging demand and

user appropriateness:

Relevance feedback Examination of materials previously judged relevant by users and

subsequent selection of similar items

Use analysis Examination of materials previously cited, circulated, read, requested,

etc.

Demand analysis Finding out about items in demand

User tests Talking to users; testing samples of materials, candidates

For selection

Consultation Seeking experiences from systems and situations similar to own.

Selection is judgmental and clearly involves evaluation. Development of criteria for selection of

information sources to be consolidated is a complex process involving input from users, subject

specialists, and information specialists. Again, user studies and cooperation between subject and

information specialists are essential. Closely connected with criteria for selection of information

sources is criteria for evaluation of information consolidation products and services, therefore

they‟re conferred here along in Table 1.

The selectors concerned in step one are information specialists, librarians with necessary subject

knowledge; experts in given subjects; committees involving either one or each and; committees

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involving users. „Information specialists and librarians had the knowledge regarding the subject

often are the best selectors as a result of they combine a knowledge or sensitivity that directly have

an effect on the time in access of information and also the user with specific need‟.

Acquisition is the physical procurement of documents or alternative items recording information.

It needs procedures for procurement of necessary information sources, in cases of no outright

procurement: procedures for access to sources involving getting information sources on loan,

photocopying pertinent information, obtaining permission to use these information in another

information systems/ libraries.

Evaluation involved the criteria for assessing the standard or intrinsic advantage of information,

criteria for assessing the quality of information products and services on the idea of users demand/

expectations, and procedures for achieving consent in assessments. In this step validity, reliability,

accuracy, credibility, significance, etc. assess the intrinsic advantage of the information.

Following selection and evaluation, information is in due course analyzed then synthesized to be

used in information product and services for dissemination to users with special needs.

3.1.2. Step 2: Information Analysis

Information explosion result a huge quantity of sources however their amount is compromised and

most of them are redundant. To overcome/ to cope up such issues and retrieving/ or dissemination of

information in specialised environment of libraries the systems were designed one of them is

information analysis, its synthesis and eventually the evaluation so as to extract the main points of

information to be restructured and resulted in updated „state- of –information‟ on the given topic or

special needs.

Selection and evaluation are followed by, information analysis and synthesis to be used in products

and services for dissemination to the target special users. „Analysis is a process of determining and

isolating the most salient information conveyed by a given information sources and separating this

information into its constituent elements on the basis of predetermined evaluative and other criteria‟.

The units or systems that are instituted to perform such activities are known as information analysis

centres. These are evolved in response to information problems that don‟t seem to be traditionally

handled by libraries. Sometimes libraries are instituted and homeward to deal primarily with

bibliographic and subject controlled of the large amount of literature i.e. the documents and

publications. The information sources are selected and examined for its validity and must be

evaluated to extract the main points to restructure and synthesise and/or repackaged the information.

Analysis involves the assembly of the indexes, abstract summaries and similar non evaluated

information products concerned. Information analysis centres, are instituted to deal with the

extraction, sifting, filtering and also the quality of information in the literature. These two types of

information systems (libraries and information retrieval systems on the one hand, and information

analysis centres on the other) are addressing the different issues. The information analysis units are

installed for evaluative analysis. Thus, evaluation criteria are crucial in information analysis for its

consolidation.

The process of analysis is based on preliminary and fundamental process as well as the study of

specialised area and the users on the basis of which information would be analysed. This

information is organised on the basis of subject by creation table of contents, classification, and

codification. The objectives, resources and constraints of the system through which information

ought to be transferred should be considered following the determination of evaluative criteria.

The steps involved in information analysis are:

Familiarisation with contents of the documents involves the specification of topics in relation that

information are going to be analyzed and extracted from documents,

Preliminary sorting of contents (first evaluation)

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Selection / extraction/ unneeded information or content involve the specification of a scheme for

organizing and systematizing information, specification of procedures for extraction of the relevant

information or data and assessment

Verification of content (second evaluation) verification of the extracted information or data into

given categories or headings.

Sorting of the information based on typology.

Synthesis follows analysis. Synthesis is a process of condensation and embodiment of analyzed

information from one or more sources and presentation of information in a new arrangement or

structure with an interpretive or evaluative point of view. It requires the comparative arrangement

of extracted information, compression or merger into a structure or form most suited for intended

users and uses and evaluation of the final result. Synthesis involve following steps

Comparative arrangement and merging (within each class and subclass)

Comparative evaluation (in each class and subclass) (third evaluation)

Resolution of conflict

Compression of information ( on the basis of objectives, resources and constraints of the system)

Evaluation of final product ( forth evaluation)

Evaluation is concerned with determination of the intrinsic merit, validity and reliability, or in brief,

the quality of information and of information sources which is able to eventually be consolidated. As

such it is crucial in both selection and later in analysis and synthesis. The evaluation stages

involved:

Evaluation of information sources

Verification of individual extracts

Comparative evaluation of various extract in every class and taxonomic class

Evaluation of the synthesised product.

3.1.3. Step 3: Restructuring of extracted information into a content that can be used most

effectively and with efficiency by users; this might involve synthesis, condensation, rewriting,

simplifying, review, state-of-the-art presentation, etc. Restructuring of content aspects needs the

determination of a mode and language within which the contents of information consolidation

products ought to be conferred to users in a way that is most compatible with users' scenario and

desires which can enhance the comprehension and assimilation of information presented. Additional

specifically, restructuring requires determination of:

extent to which available content is to be incorporated (subject breadth and depth)

degree of invariability of information as found within the original text and the also the degree to

which new information (points of view, comparisons, etc.) is to be added

degree of detail in information (specific to general)

degree of changes in sequence of presentation relative to the original

technical sophistication (minimal, moderate, high, very high)

temporal aspects (timeliness, time spans covered, frequency of issue)

editorial qualities (grammar, clarity, balance, logic of presentation)

3.1.4. Step 4: Information repackaging

„Packaging of information may be a substantial recording, arrangement and presentation of

information on a specific medium and form. Packaging media is supposed for the recorded, displayed,

or given information and packaging formats are meant for arrangement, shape, and lay-out of

information during a given product on a specific medium.‟ Information repackaging is a method to

pack the consolidated information within the type that is appropriate and usable for library users.

Information Repackaging services assemble the pertinent information from a range of sources. The

aim of repackaging is to reinforce the acceptance, usage of information sources, and assimilation and

recall of their contacts.

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According to Saracevic and Wood (1981) “Packaging of information is physical recording,

arrangement and presentation of information on a given medium and in a given form. Repackaging

of information is arrangement of physical media and/or form in which information has been

presented, which is tailored to the requirement of a specific clientele. The aim of repackaging is to

enhance the acceptance and use of information products and the assimilation and recall of their

contents.” Packaging and repackaging ought to be supported the necessity for enhancing the

potential use, comprehension, assimilation, and recall and need to work out the medium and format

within which an information consolidation product are going to be conferred thereto users. It is

noteworthy Restructuring deals with contents or substance of information while packaging deals

with the shape of its presentation. Information packaging is done with the assistance of various sort

of media i.e., print media, audiovisual media, electronic media and social contact. In packaging

formats the necessity of effective information ought to be followed in terms of:

readability (comprehension wherever reading is involved)

view ability (comprehension wherever viewing is involved)

audibility (comprehension wherever listening is involved)

identifiability (cognition and perception of key information elements)

mnemonics (visual or audio association, significantly for recall)

Bunch (1984) describes information repackaging (IR) as a figure of information service that

emphasizes on the following steps: selecting the appropriate materials, re-processing the information

in a very kind that can be without delay understood by the user, packaging information, and so

arrangement of these materials in a way that is applicable to the user. The processes considered to

form this service work adheres to the constant objective of serving library users by identify sources

of information in response to a particular question, interest, assignment or issues (Cassell and

Hiremath, 2006).

Step 5. Dissemination is a method of distribution and delivery of information products and services

through certain channels to its users. It needs the determination of the channels by which

information products would to be delivered into the hands of users. The doable channels for

information consolidation are: social delivery, group personal delivery, in-house dissemination,

mail, native depository, newspapers, broadcasting, radio and TV, telephone, Computer networks.

Diffusion or dissemination of information ways in which can encourage and promote its use: this

might additionally involve education of users within the use of information and

promoting/marketing of information. Some of the more important channels for dissemination of

information consolidation products include:

Interpersonal delivery: through which the information consolidated products are provided

personally to users either at their request or in anticipation of need

Group personal delivery: provide information consolidated products to a whole group of users

e.g., in a meeting, demonstration

Strategic placement: positioned the information consolidated products in locations frequented by

users to select on their own

In-house delivery: institution of distinct dissemination functions in an organization e.g.,

circulation, reference

Local depositories: involve the cooperative arrangements with local information systems and

libraries

Mass media: products are delivered and/or announced

3.1.2. Step 6: Marketing of information is the method of viewing the entire information service or

product from the purpose of view of ultimate results i.e. from the use and user points of view. It is

an accumulative set of activities that aimed toward fulfilling the information needs.

Activities in marketing

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The central concept in marketing is in being client (user, customer) oriented rather than product

oriented. The current approach to marketing is to:

Identify the intended group of clients i.e. the library users.

Find out the needs and wants of user demands by applying user studies

Provide user with the right products or services supported by the effective communication about

the products, their benefits and usage, and makes them available at the right time and location.

Marketing of information products involves following activities:

Marketing research – it involves analysis of user groups, identification of their characteristics,

needs, wants, similarities, constraints, and economics. Segmentation of users into groups with

similar characteristics, values, needs, and information benefits would help in categorisation of the

information.

Product Development- Development of the information consolidation products. The product or

service in congruence with the findings of market research; targeting and testing of products led to

the consideration of alternative products: adaptation if necessary and finally targeting the given

user segments

Communication – Providing information to users about the benefits, usage, uses of the information

product. It provides user education and promotion of user services.

Economics - Determination of cost factors by pricing decisions, analysis of economic factors, e.g.,

cost benefits.

Dissemination - Delivery of product or service in an effective way, and at the right time and place.

It also involves the promotion of the information services.

Evaluation- To consider the competences of the product/service, dissemination procedure/ channel

etc an unremitting evaluation procedure should be followed. The evaluation should be based on

feedback from the users thus by calculating the satisfaction with services/ products etc

Feedback from users, analysis of the efforts, and changes.

Marketing concepts are vital for the process of information consolidation. Using these modern

marketing concepts, an alert information manager designs the structure of his/her system to give the

marketing components their deserved distinction. The marketing function should be fully integrated

with other processes of the system.

Examples of information consolidation products

The various information products in different media involved are: Reviews (critical reviews, state-

of-the-art reports); Reports (assessment, market, and technical reports) ;alerting bulletins or

newsletters; Data ( data compilations and tables; statistical abstracts, correlations, and composites;

critical data);Databases(expert databases; subject knowledge bases);Technical writings(guides,

manuals, instruction sheets, explanations on a complex subject provided in a style and language

engaged toward a given audience level. popular articles about a scientific or technical topic);

Handbooks(compilations of essential data and information on a subject); Critical

Studies(comparison of various practices or policies with pro and-con listings; impact and future

studies)and Requests(evaluative on-demand studies and compilations; briefings).some of the other

information consolidation products are tabulated in on the basis of different media and diffusion by

stage in self explanatory table and respectively. Table 2, provides a list of possible information

consolidation products in different media.

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Table 2: Information Consolidation Products In Different Media

Media Aspect Product

Print- paper, hard

copy

Single issue (temporal

aspect)

Critical review or state-of-the-art, Brochure, Monograph, Technical

report, Field manual (for operations, maintenance, processes), Guide,

Handbook, Textbook; tutorial Question-Answer sheet, Data

compilation; critical data

Statistical abstract, Briefing; evaluative summary. Directory;

evaluative answers, Referral; evaluative answers Printout; any of the

above

Serial ( temporal aspect) Newsletter; alerting bulletin, Journal, report

Recurring summaries, bulletins

Print - filmed

copy

Microform Microfiche; any of the above

Aperture card; any of the above

Microtext; any of the above

Print -soft copy Cathode ray tube Online retrieval-references, paragraphs Structural compositions

Tabular data Video newsletter

Audio Recording Tape, cassette, Phonodisc

Telephone recorded massage

(dissemination-delivery)

Briefing, summary, newsletter, information hotline

Radio(dissemination-

delivery)

Summary, tutorial, radio shows

Visual Graphics Photograph, drawing, chart, poster, display, slide, figure,

Transparency

Audiovisual Film Motion picture, slide and recordings, Holograph

Video videodics, videotape

TV(dissemination-delivery) Summary, advice, tutorial, newsletter, briefing, TV show

Demonstration Fixed site Modelling- processes, procedures, application, test/ laboratory, trial

installation, pilot plant, exhibit

Non-fixed site Mobile demonstration unit, scale model

Interpersonal Group(dissemination-

delivery)

Lecture/ talk, seminar/ conferences/ tutorial

Individual(dissemination-

delivery)

Personal consulting/ advice, correspondence, telephone conversation,

staff visit

Source: Saracevic, Tefko (1986)

Table 3 provides a list of possible information consolidation products as appropriate for: (i) different

stages in information diffusion or transfer and (ii) different types of users-organizations and

individuals

Table 3. Example of information consolidation. diffusion by stage

Type of

Organisation

Awareness Interest/ Knowledge Attitude/formation Trial/decision Adoption/ confirmation

Small

Industry

Advertising.

Product/process

announcement.

Promotional brochure.

Newsletter. Data.

Reports. Group

Seminar. Visits.

Briefings. Exhibit.

Synthesis of

requirements

Seminar on effects.

Comparative statistics.

Report on alternatives

and experiences.

videotapes, Films.

Demonstration.

Technical manuals.

Graphics displays.

Databooks.

Handbooks

Operational manuals.

Market reports.

Handbooks

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Medium

Industry

Brochure describing

product/ process of interest

to technical personnel.

Market

description for

managers

State-or-the art review

Describing technology.

Resource and

Economic analysis or

summary.

Comparative

experiences.

Critiques. Market

analysis

Demonstration.

Technical assistance

manuals. Films, tapes,

pictures. Data books

Operational manuals.

Updates. Trends.

Synthesis of advances.

Handbooks

Large

Industry

Alerting bulletins.

Newsletter.

Technical news synthesis.

Market trends

Individual seminar on

New developments.

State-of – the –art. Economic

analysis. Synthesis of

research results. Critical data.

Reply to inquiry

Competitive analysis.

Impact analysis.

Historical review of

similar efforts.

Evaluations

Demonstration.

Testing reports.

Technical manuals.

Training manuals.

Tables of

recommended data

Operational manuals for

different levels of

personnel. SDI synthesis of

advances. Continuous

critical and recommended

data.

State

Government

Announcements. Form

Letters. Presentation at

meetings. Newsletter.

Alerting bulletin

Slide/tape descriptions.

Briefing. Reviews. Statistical

composites. Synthesis of

research findings. Data tables

Historical data.

Comparison with other

countries.

Demonstration.

Impact analysis.

Evaluations. Integrative

future studies

Synthesis of practices

and trials. Manuals.

Referral.

Documentation.

Recurring supply of

synthesized information.

Evaluation reports.

Mass Urban

Population

Newspaper articles.

Announcements on radio,

TV. Popular talks on a

given practice or product.

Question answer sheets

Radio and TV, shows.

Popularization articles.

Simplified pamphlets,

brochures. Comic Strips.

Photo novels.

Demonstrations. Exhibits.

Popularized journals. Fields

Manuals

Comparing with other

practices.

Demonstrations

Synthesis of fitting with

daily life.

Possible impacts,

positive and negative.

Show-how

information simplified

manuals Do-it yourself

booklet

Synthesized information

fortifying and refining the

practice.

Mass Village

Population

Radio announcements.

Visits with opinion leaders.

Posters and

Graphic displays.

School talks.

Training sessions for

Extension workers.

Extension service

demonstrations.

Simplified pamphlets.

Field manuals in various

media (e.g. Picture books,

comic strips). Graphic

displays Films. Talks

Talks by opinion leaders.

Comparison with other

villages.

Synthesis of fitting with

village life.

Impacts. Summary.

Show-how

information field

manuals. Experimental

information. Markets

for cash crops. Do-it

yourself booklet

Reinforcement

information.

Comparisons.

Refinements. Increased

know-how information.

Market

Enlargement information.

Academic/

Research

Institutions

Journal notices. Short

Announcement in

professional newsletters.

Acquisition notices.

State-of-the art and

Critical reviews.

Synthesized research results.

Referral.

Journal articles. Text

excerpts. Critical data.

Data Survey

Synthesis of critical

reports and evaluations.

Comparative results.

Resource requirements

information

Research data.

Training/ education

Materials Know-why

Information

Experiences at other

institutions.

Continuing Synthesized

SDI reports. Selective

Current contents.

Refinements in advance.

Critical data.


Gulati and Raina (2000) laid some pointers that an information professional should take under

consideration when consolidating sources of information, in varied formats, from the global

information environment. When developing an information product, the consolidator should: (a)

perceive the organization of materials in libraries and use natively produced location guides; (b)

perceive a way to use classification systems and principle for their existence; (c) use location

information within the bibliographic record to retrieve domestically-owned resources; (d) use local

resources to find information sources in the global information environment; (e) understand that

libraries have developed methods for locating and sharing resources not owned locally and use the

acceptable resource sharing system, like interlibrary loan or document delivery, to retrieve

information; (f) understand that the web is a helpful resource for locating, retrieving and transferring

information electronically.

The Bureau of Library and Information Services (INFORM), ILO is a knowledge base of key

information on work problems, sustainable livelihoods, and therefore the work associated to the

aspects of economic /social development, technological amendment or human rights. It is the centre

repository of ILO publications produced in Geneva and in the ILO‟s offices around the world. It has

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made a Subject resource guide, a kind of webliography. Users of this specialized information

product at the International Labour Organization have verified its worth to their work and functions

within the workplace (Abrigo 2009). The development of this subject resource guide is predicated

on Agada‟s (1995) systematic IR methodology which involves the subsequent components: (1)

information analysis; (2) synthesis; (3) editing; (4) translating and transforming its symbolic and

media formats. An already processed relevant information the chosen topic found on in-house and

subscription based databases and different secondary web sources are culled out, “reprocessed” or

examined for accuracy and currency, packaged or tailored to suit consequently into the structure

system, and so ultimate product comes get into a format that suits best the users of information.

3.2. Benefits of information consolidation

The value of consolidated information is evident to information professionals. Unfortunately, the

values and benefits are far from clear to several users or potential users. Even the users with a high

level of education and responsibility fail to check the advantages of consolidated information for

them and for the aims of their organizations. (Saracevic, Tefko, 1986) explained the benefits that

may be derived from use of consolidated information. The explanatory Table 4 outline the various

potential benefits of the these products

Table 4: Potential benefits that may be derived from use of consolidated information.

GENERAL ACTIVITY OR AREA POTENTIAL BENEFITS

Decisions Better informed about alternatives and consequences. Improved decisions making

process. Reduction of uncertainty

Knowledge,

competence .

Increase in level, depth, breadth by individuals or groups. Higher sophistication in

drawing relations between seemingly unconnected facts

Adaptation More appropriate and adjusted responses by individuals, groups or organizations to

demands of and changes in the environment and a complex world.

Productivity Higher levels and outputs in work and other activities. More contacts. Increased

capacity and effectiveness.

Resources More efficient or economic use of resources. Increased capacity and/or effectiveness.

Better economy

Success Contribution toward attaining aims of individuals, groups, organizations. Better or

wider spread and acceptance of results. Detection of necessary adjustments.

SPECIFIC AREAS INFORMATION CONSOLIDATION AIMED TOWARDS BENEFITS SUCH AS:

Enterprises.

Business.

Commerce.

Broadening markets. Providing appropriate responses to market conditions and

demands. Meeting competition. Complying with standards and regulations.

Motivating personnel.

Making business decisions.

Industry.

Manufacture.

Incorporating technical innovation Adding new products. Making products

appropriate. Increasing productivity. Reducing break downs.

Science Keeping up with research front. Judging own position and advances. Making

appropriate decisions on policy and allocations. Searching for related works and/or

ideas for further work or methodology.

Education Keeping up with advances in given fields and in education research, methods, and

approaches. Providing for educational planning and assessments or comparisons.

Individuals

Providing for self fulfilment and advancement in their given area of work or interest.

Providing for wider opportunities in employment, self help, and adjustments to

changing environments and conditions. Increasing sophistication toward higher

quality of life.


Consolidated information could contribute to information sophistication of a population that

successively contributes to quality of life. The significance of consolidated information is argued in

relevancy its role in creating higher cognitive process and downside determination as making

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decisions and determination issues, even those encountered in everyday work, requires information.

For example, take into consideration the worth of consolidated information that helps to boost

sanitation, which successively decreases disease, pain and suffering. With the increase in complexity of information decisions or issues, the necessity for information intensifies, the quantity

of obtainable information proliferates, it becomes harder to get and use relevant information; and

therefore the complexity, interdisciplinarity, and technical sophistication of obtainable information

will increases, less is utilised by decision makers and problem solvers as conferred in its original

form.

Figure 2. Value of Information in Decision Making and Problem Solving

The value of consolidated information changes with the type and amount of information. To

illustrate: a pile of documents on a given topic on a decision maker's desk or in a very worker's

hand, has little value to the decisions they have to create on that topic or issues they have to unravel/

solve, even supposing the documents could have all the information that is required. Summaries

could have a bit more value. Mergers of excerpts from an assortment of documents could have still

more value. Evaluation of information will significantly increase its value. The paramount value of

information is in a very set of alternative choices summarized from all the sources mentioned and

proposals for decisions or resolution of the problems. These relations are expressed in Figure 2 and

3. In other words, at the same time as the quantity of information more and more consolidated, its

value increases; as the information is progressively expressed in the plain language on the basis of

the social/cultural framework of the user, its value will increases for that user and with the

information packaged in a very suggests that which is able to build its use easier, and its value

increases.

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Figure 3. Relation between Public Knowledge, Consolidated Information and Users

Another way to look at the worth of information consolidation is in connexion loss of information or

the information that never reaches a user or cluster of users even though such information is

instantly on the market inside the noesis and through plentiful primary and secondary literature

sources. As are often seen from Figure not all primary or secondary sources might reach the users or

be acceptable for the users and their issues and associated selections they have to make. The role of

information consolidation is to be as applicable to the users as attainable.

3.3. Information Consolidation Units/ Centres in India

Information analysis and consolidation activities are being distributed by several national level

information centres moreover R&D establishments notably within the field of science and

technology and that they are conveyance out various IAC products for the advantage of completely

different user groups.

NISCAIR

National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR) came into

existence on 30 September 2002 with the merger of National Institute of Science Communication

(NISCOM) and Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre (INSDOC). Both NISCOM and

INSDOC, the two premier institutes of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR),

were devoted to dissemination and documentation of S&T information. One of the core activities of

NISCAIR is to gather, organize and disseminate S&T information generated in India as well as in

the world that has connection to Indian S&T community. Beneath this programme, the institute is

building comprehensive collection of S&T publications in print and electronic form and spreading

through traditional as well as modern means that benefiting the various segments of the society. The

resources involved brings out following Information resources involve the electronic and in house

database

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Electronic Resources: Automated libraries are slowly shifting to Electronic Libraries which will

eventually cause the establishment of Digital Libraries.

On-line Databases: It provides access to 1500 international databases. Searches are performed for

research scientists and the corporate. The databases provide the latest information on commercial,

R&D and market information.

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Abstracts (MAPA) a bimonthly abstracting journal cover global

current literature on all aspects of medicinal, aromatic and allied plants. The papers from about 600

primary journals, research reports, conference proceedings, patents from 65 countries and in 25

languages are scanned, selected and abstracted. The abstracts in MAPA are provided under the

following broad subject groups: Agronomy, Analytical & Processing Techniques, Antimicrobial

Activity, Botany (General & Systematic), Breeding & Genetics, Chemotaxonomy, Clinical Studies,

Diseases & Pests, Ethnomedicine , Insecticidal & Piscicidal Activity, Marketing & Trade,

Miscellaneous, New Publications, Patents , Physiology & Biochemistry, Pharmacognosy,

Pharmacology & Toxicology,Phytochemistry. The potential users are Researchers

Entrepreneurs, Pharamaceuticals, Traders, Medical Practitioners, Information scientist,

R&D, Policy Planners, S&T Consultants, Cultivators, and Patents Attorneys.

ICAR

The Council supports study and research in agricultural sciences including agriculture, horticulture,

animal sciences, agricultural engineering, fisheries and home sciences. ICAR has established various

research centres and 38 state agricultural universities (SAUs) to meet the agricultural research and

education needs of the country. Vocational training to the farmers, training to extension personnel to

update their knowledge and skill, and single window delivery system of technology, products,

services and information is provided through Agricultural Technology Information Centres. ICAR

has a large network of ICAR-SAUs extension system which involves 415 Krishi Vigyan Kendras

(KVKs), 10 Trainers Training Institutes (TTCs), 70 Institute-Village- Linkage-Programme (IVLP)

Cetntres and 44 Agricultural Technology Information Centres. ICAR brings out a variety of

Information resources involving Research/Peer Reviewed Journals (Indian Journal of Animal

Sciences (monthly), Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences (monthly), and Indian Horticulture

(quarterly). Other Journals includes Indian Farming (monthly in English), Phal Phool (quarterly in

Hindi) and Kheti (monthly in Hindi). A quarterly digests in Hindi Krishi Chayanica. It also publish

Newsletters like ICAR-News (monthly), ICAR- Reporter (quarterly) , Handbook of Agriculture,

Handbook of Animal Husbandry, Handbook of Horticulture, Handbook of Plant Tissue Culture and

Handbook of Rock Gardening on the Hills. The council has also produced 44 films in different areas

like Crop Sciences, Fisheries, Animal Sciences, Natural Resources Management, Horticulture and

Agricultural Engineering.

Regional Centre for Technology Transfer, United Nation Economic and Social

Commission for the Asia and Pacific

Technical digests of information on activities of developing countries in ESCAP region (for use in

promotion, research and development, development of technological capabilities, and new

technological developments) in the form of research round-ups, technical notes, etc. covering areas

identified as important by countries of the region; answers to specific questions provided from

information collected and repackaged by the Technical Information Enquiry Service; special

publications (of materials presented at workshops, seminars , or consultation meetings). Periodicals,

journals, reports, books, and other information materials; selects, adapts, repackages, and

disseminates information to several types of end users (policy makers, planners, administrators,

entrepreneurs, regulating agencies, R&D institutions, and industrial development agencies) in

ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) region. The Asia Pacific Tech

Monitor and VATIS is bi monthly periodicals, disseminate a range of technological information

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including technology transfer and innovation management that linked to issues such as

environmentally sustainable growth, climate change, energy security, gender equality and inclusive

development. These publications provide SMEs and national policy analyst with the latest

information on technology trends in the region and provide direction for substantive work.

www.techmonitor.net to access the contents and download the VATIS Updates free of cost.

3.4. Conclusion

Information consolidation is not a universal remedy to information desires and issues; however it is

one in all the necessary approaches to be considered along with a bunch of alternative information

products and services. Consolidated information products and services will play a vital role in

satisfying a variety of vital information desires. In turn, correct education and training of

information professionals within the art and science of information consolidation may be a key to

success of any and all information consolidation efforts. Information consolidation is an effective

approach to fulfilment of specific informational needs for appraising and synthesized information

services for the however underserved.

Information consolidation is applicable to extremely specialised users i.e. engineers, scientists,

managers, policy makers and another category to users of lesser sophistication ie general public. The

information consolidation provides an immense opportunity for using non-print dissemination

channels and packaging media, notably in relevancy to information for a broad audience in the urban

as well as rural areas. Information consolidation is advanced and demands an explicit commitment

of resources. However, information consolidation has verified its importance and benefits in

information transfer. Therefore, information consolidation ought to be a high consideration within

the institution or refinement of information efforts serving developing countries.

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http://www.niscair.res.in

www.apctt.org

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