The use of computer‐based bibliographic information services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

During the beginning of the 1970s it became apparent to the UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's library service that the mechanized information revolution was upon us. We had taken part in a number of investigations which indicated that the technology was well developed and reliable. We knew, in addition, that large‐scale commercial services were available. What we did not know was what the real value of these external services was to the Ministry. They were all derived from very familiar printed secondary journals. Did mechanized operation offer substantial advantages? Was the cost justified? How could mechanized operations fit into the present library activities? If mechanized services did offer improved facilities, what administrative arrangements were necessary? It was decided, therefore, to attempt to answer these questions by the evaluation of external computer‐based bibliographic information services under practical conditions.