Library developments at UK's DEFRA

Kevin Jackson - Chief Librarian at the United Kingdom Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) - shares recent developments in the July/August issue of Update magazine from CILIP. Since its formation in June 2001, DEFRA took on board the responsibilities of the former Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food (MAFF), environment protection, wildlife and conservation activity from the former DETR (Department of Environment, Transport & the Regions) and the animal welfare responsibilities of the Home Office.

Kevin's article explains how the library and information service underwent external reviews, different collections were merged, staffing was restructured, the collections and services moved to being electronic, and marketing of the information resource centre was stepped up.