About AIUs

Background

Associate Information Units (AIU) providing recognition and accreditation for marine science libraries and information centres is complementary to the Associate Data Unit structure for the IODE Data Management programme. Information (as usually managed by librarians and information managers) is as essential in the research process as data.

AIU’s were the final recommendation (Recommendation IODE-XXIV.5) (IODE ASSOCIATE INFORMATION UNIT) of the Group of Experts on Marine Information Management (GE-MIM) which had existed since 1984 and initiated many of the IODE information products. GE-MIM was disbanded along with other Groups of Experts by IODE-XXIV following IODE project-based restructuring. IODE National Coordinators for Marine Information Management continue to exist and along with AIUs are the main communication channel for MIM discussions.

Global marine science libraries and information centres are encouraged to become Associate Information Units

Regarding marine information management, the IODE works closely with the International Association of Aquatic and Marine Science Libraries and Information Centers (IAMSLIC).

What are AIUs/Terms of Reference

IODE Associate Information Units (AIUs) shall (updated September 2021):

IODE Associate Information Units (AIUs) shall:

I. Be national projects, programmes, institutions or organizations, or regional or international projects, programmes, institutions or organizations (including academia) that carry out marine information management functions, and/or provide marine information services/products;

II. Be staffed by at least one marine information professional (by qualification or
experience);

III. Demonstrate active digital development: online information services and products;

IV. Promote Open Access to information. In this context “Open Access” is defined as
“unrestricted access and unrestricted reuse” to/of information;

V. Display a collaborative and networking ethos through:

i. Membership/partnership of professional library/information networks to enrich their own as well as the entire IODE community;
ii. Sharing expertise and experience with other AIUs, and IODE National Coordinators for Marine Information Management;
iii. Sharing information on new digital initiatives implemented within the AIU, with the IODE community;
iv. Encourage organization staff to submit to OceanExpert

VI. Receive information on, and contribute to, IODE standards and best practices related to marine information management;

VII. Be welcomed to participate in training activities, organized within the framework of the IODE OceanTeacher Global Academy programme;

VIII. Be welcomed to participate in IODE workshops and projects;

IX. Agree to display the IODE/AIU decal logo on your webpage and on marine information products developed in collaboration with IODE;

X. Agree to make available information management documentation (standards, practices, guides…) used by the AIU for the wider marine
science library and information community.

List of Associate Information Units

There are currently 6 AIUs in the network (status on 16 September 2021)

Contacts for the AIUs can be found HERE

Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center / Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD)

Philippines

SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) was established in 1973 to conduct research, develop technologies, disseminate information, and train people in the farming of fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, and seaweeds for food, livelihood, equity, and sustainable development. AQD works closely with various universities, fishery schools, and government agencies in the Philippines. AQD also has strong linkages with foreign research and academic institutions, and international agencies.
SEAFDEC/AQD is mandated to: (i) Promote and undertake research on aquaculture relevant and appropriate to the region; (ii) Encourage human resource development in aquaculture through training and extension; and (iii) Disseminate and exchange information in aquaculture.

Library catalogue: http://opac.seafdec.org.ph
Document repository: http://repository.seafdec.org.ph

Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) Library

Oostende, Belgium

The Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) promotes accumulation of marine knowledge and excellence in marine research in Flanders. The marine research areas are the ocean and seas, the coast and tidal systems. The target groups for knowledge accumulation are the marine research community as well as education institutions, the general public, policymakers and the industry (within the scope of the blue economy)

VLIZ library catalogue: http://www.vliz.be/en/catalogue
Catalogue of the Belgian Marine Bibliography: http://www.vliz.be/en/belgian-marine-bibliography
Open Marine Archive: http://www.vliz.be/en/open-marine-archive

DINARA Library

Montevideo, Uruguay

The National Directorate of Aquatic Resources is responsible for the orientation, promotion and development, in all its aspects, of the activities related to the responsible use of fishery and aquaculture resources, the ecosystems that contain them and the derived industries, both public and private.

Collection holdings and repository:
DINARA database in SIDALC: http://orton.catie.ac.cr/dinara.htm
INVEN database in SIDALC: http://orton.catie.ac.cr/inven.htm
ELECTRA database in SIDALC: http://orton.catie.ac.cr/electra.htm
DINARA in OceanDocs: https://www.oceandocs.org/handle/1834/2547

SPREP Library

Apia, Samoa

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is a regional environmental organisation based in Apia, Samoa. It serves 21 Pacific member countries and 5 metropolitan countries. SPREP has 4 strategic programmes: Island and Ocean Ecosystem, Climate Change Resilience, Waste Management and Pollution Prevention and Environmental Monitoring and Governance.

Collection holdings and repository: https://library.sprep.org/Pein/home/home.aspx
Publications: https://www.sprep.org/publications

MBLWHOI Library

Woods Hole, MA, United States of America

AIU formally established: 30 September 2018
The Library provides a full range of library services including Inter-library loan (ILL),

copyright assistance, and archival services. The Library also offers data management planning information and has set both MBL and WHOI up as affiliated institutions in DMPTool https://dmptool.org/get_started
Research Information Management (RIM) system, Elements. Public view using VIVO http://vivo.mblwhoilibrary.org/
Founding partner Biodiversity Heritage Library https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
Early adopter and provider of DOIs for datasets in our repository https://iode.org/index.php?option=com_oe&task=viewDocumentRecord&docID=10574

INSTM Library

Salammbo, TunisiaAIU formally

established: 27 August 2018

INSTM contributes documents to OceanDocs (IOC-Unesco) www.oceandocs.net/handle/1834/138 , FlehaDocs (IRESA) http://birsa.agrinet.tn/jspui/handle/123456789/2 and BIRSA (KOHA): National Catalogue of IRESA, the Agricultural Research and Higher Education Institution of Tunisia (under the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries) http://birsa.agrinet.tn/cgi-bin/koha/opac-main.pl?lang=fr . More information and products on www.instm.agrinet.tn/index.php/fr/bibliotheque

How to become AIU ?

Any marine science related project, programme, institution or organization that is willing to comply with the above-mentioned Terms of Reference can apply to join IODE as an IODE Associate Information Unit (AIU).
The application form is available FROM THIS LINK

Information that should be provided includes:

name and description of the national, regional or international institution, organization,
project or programme, include URL;
name of the applicant AIU (if different from (1));
URL of web presence of the applicant AIU;
URL of database where AIU collection holdings are recorded;
URL of Open Access document repository;
brief description of information services/products/digital initiatives provided by the
entity including any separate URLs;
name and contact information of the AIU contact point(s);
(note that this name can be different from the person signing the application.
The AIU contact point will be contacted for all practical, technical and scientific
communications);
name and contact information of the head of the applicant entity:
(Director of institution, project coordinator, etc. This may be the name of the
person signing the application);
description of staff and skills/expertise (include IT support);
opportunities provided to staff for professional
development (inhouse training/ external training/participation in
conferences…);
metrics (e.g. number of journal subscriptions, number of
holdings, number of records in repositories and other databases etc);
demonstrated involvement in a professional network or
partnership (e.g. active member of library network, partner
in funded collaborative project at regional, national, international level etc)
involvement in research data management activities (e.g. RDM resources webpage or assisting with creation of a Data Management Plan (DMP))
for projects: expected lifespan of the project and indication
of plans for the archival/preservation of the information
output;
please attach letter of support from organization management;
required capacity building, training that IODE should provide;
information on the existing relationship with IODE (if applicable).

Applications for AIUs shall be reviewed and approved by the IODE-Management Group (by email or during IODE-MG meetings).

The Group will use APPLICATION CRITERIA documented in THIS DOCUMENT

Details: Created on: Monday, 10 July 2017 14:45; Last Updated on: Tuesday, 28 September 2021 17:18