First global search tool for all open access and special program journal titles in developing countries
Paris, FRANCE – February 22, 2008 – EBSCO
Information Services (EBSCO) has recently joined forces with Hasselt
University Library, Belgium, and the IODE (International Oceanographic
Data and Information Exchange) programme of the Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC) to develop a global Open
Science Directory. The Open Science Directory, which utilizes EBSCO’s
A-to-Z® locator product to provide access to useful
scientific information needed in many of the world’s developing
nations, has originally been developed by EBSCO and Hasselt University
Library based upon a request by marine information management experts
collaborating within the framework of the IOC's IODE programme.
Marc
Goovaerts, staff member, information technology, Hasselt University
Library, said, “Researchers in developing countries need to access
scientific literature. This is possible through the internet. Some
major collections of journals are available through different programs.
Still the use of these resources is limited. One of the problems is the
accessibility of these services. A single point access to all these
resources can help. Therefore we asked EBSCO to set up an Open Science
Directory based on their A-to-Z software.”
Available via
the Internet at no charge, the Open Science Directory provides
developing regions a comprehensive search tool for all open access and
special program journal titles. Designed to enhance access to these
collections by providing direct links to journals and articles in the
EBSCO A-to-Z title database, the Open Science Directory offers
immediate access to approximately 13,000 scientific journal titles,
with an objective of 20,000 titles midway through development. Among
the main open access collections in the Open Science Directory are
DOAJ, BioMed Central, HighWire Press and PubMed Central, and special
programs HINARI, AGORA and OARE. INASP-PERI and eJDS will be added in
the near future.
Delphine Dufour, European marketing
manager at EBSCO Information Services, commented, “By collaborating
with Hasselt University, EBSCO reaffirms that it is fully committed to
helping libraries promote all of their resources for the benefit of the
end users. EBSCO will provide high quality open access information to
the researchers of every organization and institute around the world,
including developing regions.”
The EBSCO A-to-Z locator
tool is used by libraries to list all of their e-resources, including
e-journals, full-text title databases, publisher packages and e-books.
The A-to-Z locator tool listing also contains print titles as well as
other local resources.
EBSCO’s A-to-Z knowledge base (master
title database) represents all major database vendors and publishers,
with information on more than 216,000 unique titles from nearly 2,000
databases and e-journal packages. It includes a series of 20
subject-specific1 open access packages as well as an EBSCO open access journal collection which represents nearly 2,000 open access titles.
About EBSCO Information Services
EBSCO
Information Services is the leading service provider for e-journal,
e-journal and e-book package and print subscriptions, a suite of
e-resource management tools, full-text and secondary databases and
related services for all types of libraries and research organizations.
As the “e” agent of the industry, more than half of the
subscriptions handled by EBSCO have an electronic component. EBSCO’s
comprehensive solutions include proven systems to consolidate ordering,
invoicing, claiming and renewals as well as assistance with licensing
and registration requirements for e-journal and e-package customers
worldwide. EBSCO’s 31 regional offices, located in 22 countries around
the world, serve customers in more than 200 countries and are staffed
by information professionals who speak the local language and
understand the particular challenges faced by librarians in their
respective areas.
In its seventh decade of business,
EBSCO upholds relationships with more than 79,000 publishers globally.
These publisher relationships uniquely position the Company to
streamline many aspects of the e-resource life cycle. EBSCO maintains a
Dun & Bradstreet financial strength rating of 5A1, the highest
awarded, which underscores the importance placed on providing
outstanding, ethical service.
About Hasselt University
Hasselt
University is an independent university characterized by the deliberate
choice for dynamic and active university education, top research in
spearhead fields, entrepreneurship and innovation and a clear
international orientation. The university’s leading principles are
academic and scientific freedom, social commitment and ideological
openness.
Hasselt University considers international
orientation a cornerstone of its education and research. Thanks to the
cooperation with the Flemish Interuniversity Council, efforts have
recently been stepped up to promote the interaction of students and
researchers with developing countries. The very successful postgraduate
degrees in Applied Statistics and Biostatistics are examples of the
practical implementation of our international education policy.
Finally, Hasselt University Library is involved in different programs of IOC and coordinating the repository project OceanDocs (http://www.oceandocs.net).
About IOC/International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE)
The
IOC was created in 1960 to promote international cooperation and
coordinate programmes in research, sustainable development, protection
of the marine environment, capacity-building for improved management,
and decision-making. It assists developing countries in strengthening
their institutions to obtain self-driven sustainability in marine
sciences.
The IODE system forms a worldwide service
oriented network consisting of NODCs (National Oceanographic Data
Centres), marine information libraries and information centres that
promote the management, exchange and dissemination of oceanographic
data and information. The IODE programme also has a strong capacity
building programme aimed at assisting developing countries to acquire
the necessary skills to participate equitably in the IODE and other IOC
programmes.
1 including The
Arts, Biology, Business and Economics, Computer Science, The
Environment, History, Language and Literature, Law, Mathematics and
Statistics, Medicine, Music, Philosophy, Physics and Astronomy,
Political Science and Technology
