TITLE: Aquaculture Information Center Factsheet PUBLICATION DATE: 1993 ENTRY DATE: October 1994 EXPIRATION DATE: None UPDATE FREQUENCY: As needed CONTACT: Eileen M. McVey DOCUMENT TYPE: Miscellaneous Publication (Promotional) DOCUMENT SIZE: 6K **************************************************************** FACT SHEET Aquaculture Information Center National Agricultural Library 10301 Baltimore Blvd. Beltsville, MD 20705-2351 **************************************************************** The Aquaculture Information Center (AIC) was formally established at the National Agriculture Library (NAL) by Congressional mandate through the National Aquaculture Improvement Act of 1985. The AIC serves as a national clearinghouse for aquaculture information and provides materials to a variety of clientele, including aquafarmers, consumers, industry personnel, educators, government agencies, associations, libraries, the media, students, scientists, and prospective farmers. _SERVICES_ Responds to information requests received by telephone, letter, e-mail, fax, and in person within ten working days. Phone: 301- 504-5558; FAX: 301-504-6409; e-mail: aic@nalusda.gov. Provides reference support through manual searches, brief reviews of bibliographic databases, and assistance with online search strategies. Develops specialized information products on topics of popular interest. These include brochures, bibliographies, fact sheets, directories, miscellaneous publications, and a calendar of upcoming conferences. Some publications represent cooperative efforts with external groups. Furnishes selected AIC information products to requestors free of charge, or makes referrals to outside sources for purchase. Refers requestors of information to specialists in the field, such as State Cooperative Extension Service, Sea Grant, and Fish and Wildlife Service. Supplies library patrons with NAL and AIC materials in-house or via the Document Delivery Branch of NAL through a library in their area. _COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT_ Collects materials in several formats, including books, magazines, newsletters, reports, audiovisuals, and software. Subjects covered by the Center's collection include controlled cultivation of fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants; diseases; nutrition; quality assurance of aquaculture products; biotechnology; culturing systems; water quality; financial assistance; legislation and regulations; and marketing of aquaculture products. Develops extensive lateral files that are continually supplemented with new information for in-house perusal by visitors and staff. _COOPERATIVE EFFORTS_ Cooperates in the collection and dissemination of aquaculture information under a longstanding Memorandum of Understanding with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Materials are received at NAL, and indexed and abstracted for inclusion in the bibliographic database called Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA). Collaborates with universities, other Federal agencies, and the private sector on a variety of aquaculture projects mutually beneficial to enhanced information access. Participates in the United States/Japan Natural Resources (UJNR) Publication Program in which aquaculture materials are collected and exchanged with Japan. A similar program was informally established in the Fall of 1992 with China through the Chinese Academy of Fisheries Science in Beijing. Materials received from both programs are incorporated into the NAL collection. _NETWORKING_ Represents the Agency in the Federal-wide Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture (JSA) with 23 other Federal agencies. Takes part in a wide range of JSA activities through JSA- commissioned Working Groups or Task Forces. These groups enhance interagency and private sector partnerships and provide direction for future aquaculture advances. Networks with Land-Grant and Sea-Grant universities, State Aquaculture Coordinators, state fisheries specialists, associations and institutions, USDA regional aquaculture centers, the private sector, and other support libraries. AIC disseminates publications to and from many of these organizations. Inputs information products and news of upcoming aquaculture events into NAL's dissemination network, ALF (Agricultural Library Forum). This electronic network provides remote, around- the-clock access to selected information of the Center which can be printed and/or downloaded to diskette or other electronic storage media. Inputs information products to AquaNIC gopher server at Purdue University (thorplus.lib.purdue.edu). _TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS_ Explores a variety of new information technologies to enhance storage and dissemination of aquaculture information, including applications of hypertext. Participates in a pilot program at NAL called the National Agricultural Text Digitizing Program which takes documents pertaining to aquaculture and transfers them in full text and page images to CD-ROMs for easy retrieval. Two discs, Aquaculture I and Aquaculture II have been produced through this project. _OUTREACH ACTIVITIES_ Conducts a variety of outreach activities depending upon funding available, including exhibits at local, national and international conferences; presentations to library and aquaculture groups; Center orientations/tours; and coverage in a variety of newspapers, trade and library publications, and other magazines. December 1993/mer The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA Office of Communications at (202) 720-5881 (voice) or (202) 720-7808 (TDD). To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250, or call (202) 720-7327 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD). USDA is an equal employment opportunity employer.