Contributions of Marine Libraries in ODINAFRICA to Oceanogrphic Research: IMROP Researchers

Abstract

In marine information management, THE ODINAFRICA project participated in training librarians, the creation of a pan-African network of National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), product development and targeted services for national and regional end users. Currently, over 40 marine-related institutions in 25 African countries including Mauritania have tried to address the challenges faced in access to data and information for coastal management. NODC of Mauritania was established in 2001 under the responsibility of the Mauritanian Institute of Oceanographic Research and Fisheries (IMROP). IMROP has developed several products and services such as ODINAFRICA NODC, project websites, newsletters and brochures, ocean data catalogues (metadata), library catalogues, and directories of experts and institutions. IMROP's librarians also participated in several training sessions on the management of marine information. This paper discusses the project’s achievements. A questionnaire was administered to 20 IMROP researchers about their use of products and services and to plan for the maintenance of the various services and databases.