The National Agricultural Text Digitizing Project: Toward the Electronic Library. Report of the Pilot Project, Phases 1-2, 1986-1992.

The National Agricultural Text Digitizing Project (NATDP) began in 1986 with cooperation between the National Agricultural Library and the University of Vermont, and then expanded to include 45 land-grant university libraries and 1 special library. The first activity was to evaluate the new technology of optical scanning. The project was designed to test the feasibility, cost, and effectiveness of newly emerging technologies for capturing page images, providing access to their content, and disseminating them for use in agricultural communities. Four CD-ROM sets, covering aquaculture, international agricultural research, Agent Orange, and acid rain, were produced by scanning printed materials and were distributed to the universities for use and evaluation. Overall, managers concluded that scanning and text digitizing are effective technologies for disseminating information. A few cautions were noted. A great deal of time was required to participate, and participants needed to be able to provide the technical and professional support required. Managers recommended continuation of the project, with specific improvements, and suggestions for particular products. The cooperation of the various institutions and their funding support were essential in program success. Nine tables and three diagrams illustrate the discussion. Nine appendixes provide supplemental information, including additional reports about program operation. A nine-item bibliography of articles about the NATDP is included. (SLD)