1. LIR Annual Seminar, TCD, March 26th, 2002 1 The National Information Server: A key resource for the Irish higher education community Marie Reddan, Librarian NUI,Galway and Chair, NIS Advisory Group

2. LIR Annual Seminar, TCD, March 26th, 2002 2 What is the National Information Server? The National Information Server is a web- based information service managed for the Irish Research and Education Community by HEAnet Ltd.

3. LIR Annual Seminar, TCD, March 26th, 2002 3 Purpose of the NIS To provide a quality online repository of information resources of relevance to the academic and research community, both in Ireland and around the globe …

4. 4 On the NIS you can expect to find... HEAnet Information Links to Quality Information sites Websites Datasets Software Events and Vacancies information News

5. 5 Origins of NIS 1993 - NIS first mooted 1995 - UCD Computing Services awarded contract for management of services 1995 also - BTiS at UL awarded Management of the Information Services 1997 - First NIS Manager appointed January 1998 - Incorporation of HEAnet

6. 6 HEAnet and the NIS Advisory Group Increasing importance of the Information content Advisory Group appointed / 1st Meeting May 1999 Terms of Reference Membership

7. 7 Role of the NIS Manager Original Focus on: –Mirroring of software / archives –Hosting of databases / Websites –Current Awareness through Events / Vacancies section –Links to Information sources –Criteria for hosting databases and websites

8. 8 Development of NIS Current NIS Manager appointed November 2000 Emphasis on: –Design of new website / new search facilities –Expanding Links to quality information sources –Promotion –Hosting

9. 9 Management of NIS Liaison role Site maintenance Seminars Promotion Verifying Links Reports / Statistics / Bulletins

10. 10 Relationship of NIS / LIR Complementary Role Work of NIS / New LIR Committee Seminars / Workshops Database Development Support

11. 11 NIS - an Irish Information Portal Some misconceptions Database Hosting / Development support Linking Not-for-profit nature of HEAnet

12. 12 NIS 2002 - Challenges Ongoing re-organisation and design Collaboration with content providers Promotion Expectations of the Community Encouraging feedback / input from the Community