LIR Annual Seminar, TCD, March 26th, 2002 1

The National Information Server:

A key resource for the Irish higher education community

Marie Reddan, Librarian NUI,Galway and Chair, NIS Advisory Group

LIR Annual Seminar, TCD, March 26th, 2002 2

What is the National Information Server?

The National Information Server is a web-based information service managed for the Irish Research and Education Community

by HEAnet Ltd.

LIR Annual Seminar, TCD, March 26th, 2002 3

Purpose of the NIS

To provide a quality online repository of information resources of relevance to the

academic and research community, both in Ireland and around the globe …

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On the NIS you can expect to find ...

• HEAnet Information

• Links to Quality Information sites

• Websites

• Datasets

• Software

• Events and Vacancies information

• News

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Origins of NIS

• 1993 - NIS first mooted

• 1995 - UCD Computing Services awarded contract for management of services

• 1995 also - BTiS at UL awarded Management of the Information Services

• 1997 - First NIS Manager appointed

• January 1998 - Incorporation of HEAnet

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HEAnet and the NIS Advisory Group

• Increasing importance of the Information content

• Advisory Group appointed / 1st Meeting May 1999

• Terms of Reference

• Membership

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Role of the NIS Manager

• Original Focus on: – Mirroring of software / archives– Hosting of databases / Websites– Current Awareness through Events / Vacancies

section– Links to Information sources – Criteria for hosting databases and websites

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Development of NIS

• Current NIS Manager appointed November 2000

• Emphasis on:– Design of new website / new search facilities – Expanding Links to quality information sources– Promotion – Hosting

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Management of NIS

• Liaison role

• Site maintenance

• Seminars

• Promotion

• Verifying Links

• Reports / Statistics / Bulletins

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Relationship of NIS / LIR

• Complementary Role

• Work of NIS / New LIR Committee

• Seminars / Workshops

• Database Development Support

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NIS - an Irish Information Portal

• Some misconceptions

• Database Hosting / Development support

• Linking

• Not-for-profit nature of HEAnet

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NIS 2002 - Challenges

• Ongoing re-organisation and design

• Collaboration with content providers

• Promotion

• Expectations of the Community

• Encouraging feedback / input from the Community