Digital collections : introduction and development of a model for the collection and dissemination of scientific and technologic information in veterinary medicine and other fields

Abstract

This paper will describe the Digital Collections project of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Eduardo Mondlane, Mozambique. The main aim of the project is the introduction of a standardized methodology for the collection of scientific and technological information in veterinary medicine and other fields, in support of the democratization of the access to information and the joint endeavours of the academic community and the production sectors, by creating a national network for information exchange. The implementation of this project will increase accessibility to public information produced by institutions, researchers and others on veterinary medicine in Mozambique. The system to be introduced will function as a web site. This means that anyone will be able to access the information no matter where he/she is located in the world, as it will only be necessary to have a computer with access to the Internet. For documents without copyright restrictions the full text will be available, and for other cases, references showing the location of the source will be available. The end results of this project will be : • a gateway to scientific information • a decentralized web system (site) with different access levels to ensure the safety of the information • a virtual library and/ or digital collection with the full text of theses, monographs, articles, reports and other documents • a reference list of databases of national and international academic and research institutions, researchers, and entities dealing with veterinary medicine • a model to generate and disseminate digital contents which can be used in other similar institutions • a collected database that will help in determining veterinary scientific production and • a means to determine the information needs of the user community by applying web metering methods that will be part of the web information system.