Service evaluation in a special library: supporting development research at the Institute of Social Sciences Library, New Delhi Available to Purchase

Today more and more organisations are involved in research, action‐research and advocacy on development issues, particularly in the social services and human development sector. Most of these issues and themes are inter‐disciplinary in nature and characterised by overlapping subject boundaries. Research on such areas therefore generates information which is consequently inter‐disciplinary in nature. To manage such information, special libraries and thematic, issue‐based information centres have developed. Such libraries are highly idiosyncratic as far as their collection, users, services, queries and information processing are concerned. Describes the special library at The Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi which tries to establish a synergy between the research focus of the Institute and the information derived from research. The library and resource centre has a computerised information management system, which promotes a collaborative and symbiotic relationship between research and information (i.e. between research staff and library professionals). Suggests ways in which the particular quality of its service can be demonstrated.