Creating distributed information access: The agriculture network information center (AgNIC)

The Agriculture Network Information Center (AgNIC), http://www.agnic.org is a single entry point to authoritative information and resources available electronically in agriculture and the related sciences. From its inception, AgNIC relied on the National Agricultural Library and the United States land-grant university network to develop and nurture both its governance and content. The main components of AgNIC are: AgDB, AgCal, and the Online Reference Service. AgDB provides descriptive information about databases. AgCal is a calendar listing for information about agricultural meetings. The Online Reference Service provides specific agricultural information through AgNIC subject Web sites and access to direct reference service by experts. This article explores the development of AgNIC and its technical aspects to date.