PLANNING, IMPLEMENTING AND MANAGING CD-ROM SERVICES IN DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES

This paper discusses some issues and challenges which library informat ion systems in developing countries have faced in planning, implementi ng and managing CD-ROM services. It focuses on the measures taken to s olve these challenges in terms of planning, funding, hardware, softwar e, database selection, installation, staff and user training, publicit y: use policies and procedures, document non-availability and evaluati on. The paper concludes that the implementation of CD-ROM in developin g countries will continue growing, and that users will increasingly be come more sophisticated and will keep demanding better CD-ROM resource s and services. In order to cope with these demands, institutions invo lved in implementing CD-ROM services will continue pursuing the curren t trend of adopting resourceful, creative and innovative approaches in tackling the challenges posed by the implementation of CD-ROM. Finall y the paper recommends, among other things, that it is crucial to deve lop a new vision based on a thorough needs assessment to guide library information systems in planning, implementing and developing user-ori ented CD-ROM. It is also strongly recommended that a partnership appro ach between library information systems and relevant departments (like information technology departments), funding organisations, CD-ROM pu blishers and vendors is crucial for developing sustainable CD-ROM serv ices.