1. DATA CENTRES AND
REFERRAL CENTRES
MLIB-Paper VIII- Data Centres and Referral Centres-Lecture 2-By-
Dr Sonal Singh

2. INTRODUCTION
 Society has undergone changes from Agricultural to
Industrial and then to knowledge society.
 Accordingly, information institutions are also modifying
themselves to serve the changing society.
 Some of the popular categories of information institutions
are, Libraries, Documentation Centres, Information
Analysis Centres, Data Centres, Referral Centres, etc.

3. DATA CENTRES
 As the name suggests, Data Centre is a type of
information institution which is concern with the
collection and dissemination of data.
 The modern society is very much in need of data for
various human progress activities like planning,
development, decision making, etc.
 Data centres perform gathering, compilation, processing,
evaluation and dissemination of data, not only in the field
of Science and Technology, but also in various subject
fields.

4. DATA CENTRES
 Data Centres are devoted only to the storage of data and
to make it available as and when required.
 Data centres are one of the essential information
institutions which deals with organised data compilation
activities from gathering , processing, evaluation and
dissemination.
 Data centre is an organisation which handles “quantitative
numerical data.”
 It is also considered as a special information centre.

5. DATA
 Data precisely is numerical , factual , alphabetical or graphic
and one dimensional.
 Data is unprocessed information. It is also termed as ‘raw
information.’
 The data may be described as a discrete and unorganised piece
of information.
 It is also defined as groups of non-random symbols, consisting of
quantities, action objects, etc.
 Research depends on easy availability of earlier research data.

6. DATA
 Data must be collected , processed and organised for its
better utilization.
 Data may be of different categories such as: Scientific
data, Technical data, Techno-economic data, Business
data, Industrial data, Manpower data, Socio-economic
data, demographic date, etc.
 Data generally collected through observation and surveys
are required to be stored for future use.
 The institutions developed for this purpose are known as
data centre.

7. DATA CENTRES AND DATA BANK
 The terms Data centres and Data banks are used
synonymously but they vary in regard to the subject they
deal with and also the type of data they handle.
 Data centres handle only numerical data pertaining to
Science and Technology primarily with physical and
chemical properties.
 Data banks are multidisciplinary and handle all types of
data comprising administrative, statistical , techno-
economic, census, management subjects which are
produced by various institutions and agencies.

8. DATA CENTRES AND DATA BANK
cont……….
 Data centres handle data themselves and also the
literature concerning them whereas data banks handle
only data.
 Data centres store data related to narrow field of
specialization.
 Any institution interested in developing data handling
capacities may be called data centre.

9. STRUCTURE OF DATA CENTRE
 The data centre generally includes three major
components :
 1. An organised data collection (i.e. database);
 2. A connection with the data sources which periodically
update the database.
 3. The users who are in direct interaction with the
database to meet their requirements.

10. FUNCTIONS OF DATA CENTRE
 Three main functions of data centre are-
 1. Data compilation- The generated data should be compiled to
put it to use . It involves collection , correction and grouping.
 2. Evaluation- The data collected are evaluated by other users
for its utility.
 3. Dissemination- data disseminated to prevent duplication.

11. BASIC PRINCIPLES Of
ORGANISATION OF DATA CENTRE
 1. Data received and collected from different documents by a
group of specialists who decide the importance and relevance
of data , control and fit them with the generator source.
 2.The received data are organised as basic data for their
further use in initial form.
 3.data converted into machine readable form and structured
into a database for computer processing.

12. DATA CENTRE- PERSONNEL
 For accomplishing various functions efficiently, a data
centre should be equipped with suitably trained
manpower.
 Data centre employs following different categories of
personnel-
 i) Data Coordinators.
 ii) Data Specialists.
 iii) Data Analysts.
 iv) Programmers.

13. DATA SERVICES OF DATA CENTRE
 The data centre is expected to provide two basic types of
services-
 i- answer user queries,
 ii- supply the processed/synthesised data . This data is
processed from basic data.
 The data services may be provided on demand or on
anticipatory basis.
 The data centre collects, processes data for its
dissemination to answer the user queries.

14. DATA CENTRES : TYPES AND LEVELS
 Data centres vary both in scope and size.
 A data centre can be established at Local, Regional,
National and International level.
 The data services either exclusively offered by three
different data centres, or collectively by one or two
centres of the following types-
 1. Data Evaluation Centre (DEC)- includes organisation
which generate critical data systems . Its basic function is
to compile, process and to evaluate data in a specialised
area . These are one or two only for each country.

15. DATA CENTRES : TYPES AND LEVELS
 2.1- Data Dissemination Centre (Local) (DDC)-These are
established at the local level and cover a wide subject
area. These are also a part and parcel of DECs. The user
gets the data from Dec through local-DDC or sometimes
directly from DECs. It offers following services-
-offer references from collected published compilations.
-services from stored /collected machine readable data.
-assisting user in data finding .
-publish secondary publications on data.

16. DATA CENTRES : TYPES AND LEVELS
 2.2- Data Dissemination Centre (Global) (DDC)-These are
established at Global level. It is highly specialised in
subject matter and responds only to such information to
readers.
 It stores all output products of Data Evaluation Centre in
the respective field.
 It disseminates data on user’s request.
 It provides necessary information to a Data Referral
Centre (DRC).

17. DATA CENTRES : TYPES AND LEVELS
 3. - Data Referral Centre (Global) (DDC)-There can only
be a single DRC established at Global Level. This serves
the users through out the world.
 It collects world wide information on data resources.
 Prepare comprehensive file with detailed subject index
for data access.
 Refer users to appropriate sources.

18. CODATA- Committee on Data for
Science and Technology
 As data can be used by different agencies in different
forms, it was considered as collective effort.
 Many academic and research institutions, Government
institutions and also international institutions started
participating in this activity.
 In 1963, National Standard Reference Data System (NSRDS)
was established in USA.
 Data compilation activities also started in other countries
like France, Japan, Germany, UK.

19. CODATA-
cont……….
 Though many countries started participating in data
compilation activities, yet coordination part was missing
among various data compilation and data gathering
activities located globally.
 A need of central agency was felt which can coordinate
and share its activities with other countries.
 In 1966, International Council of Scientific Union (ICSU)
created CODATA to promote and encourage compilation,
evaluation and dissemination of reliable numerical data.

20. CODATA-
cont……….
 CODATA provides Scientists and Engineers with access to
international data activities for increased awareness, direct
cooperation and new knowledge.
 OBJECTIVES-
 To improve quality and accessibility of data.
 To improve the methods of data acquisition, management,
analysis and evaluation.
 To facilitate international cooperation among institutions
participating in collection, organisation and use.
 Promoting increasing awareness for participation in these
activities.

21. CODATA-
cont……….
 PUBLICATIONS-
 CODATA Newsletter- announces publication of current data
compilations, with comments, contents and accessibility.
 CODATA Bulletins.
 CODATA Directories of Data sources.
 CODATA Referral Database.

22. INTERNATIONAL DATA CENTRES
 1. NASA Astronomical Data Centre (ADC)- publishes
astronomical data and journal tables.
 INTERNATION CENTRE FOR DIFFRACTION DATA (ICDD)- It
is a non-profit Scientific and Technical organisation. It has
world wide membership from academics, Government and
industries. The centre is dedicated towards collection ,
storage, editing, publication and dissemination of data
pertaining to power diffraction for the identification of
crystalline materials. It has vision to encourage the use of
the Power Diffraction File (PDF) for phase identification of
crystalline materials.

23. NATIONAL DATA CENTRES
 India being the World’s second largest Scientific and
Technological base, contributes significantly in Research
and Development activities. Several institutions like,
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Indian
Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Indian Council of
Agricultural research (ICAR),Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO), Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO) and many other academic and
research institutions are engaged in data generation and
compilation activities.

24. NATIONAL DATA CENTRES
cont…….
 1. ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION CENTRE- It is governed
by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. It provides
high quality environmental data and information on India
in a timely and cost-effective manner to improve
environmental studies, project screening and scoping and
the decision making process.
 2 NATIONAL THERMOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES PROGRAM- It
is located at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. It was
established by the Science and Research Council (SERC)

25. NATIONAL DATA CENTRES
cont…….
of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The
basic function of the centre is to evaluate and collect data
pertaining to Thermophysical properties.
 3. National Crystal Data Centre (NCDT)- National
Information Centre on Crystallography (NICRYS) was
established in 1982 at Department of Crystallography and
Biophysics, University of Madras to serve National
Information System on Crystallography under National
Information Systems for Science and Technology (NISSAT)
Programme of Department of Scientific and Industrial
Research (DSIR), Government of India.

26. NATIONAL DATA CENTRES
cont…….
 4. National Marine Data Centres (NMIDCs)- It was
established by the Department of Ocean Development
(DOD), Government of India with the objectives of
developing efficient data handling and database
structures using state-of-the art strategies to exercise
stringent quality control on data.

27. REFERRAL CENTRES
 Referral Centres provide switching mechanisms among
different types of institutions.
 It serves as intermediary directing those who have
queries concerning scientific and technical subjects, to
organisations as well as individuals who are specialist in
concerned field and are willing to share that knowledge
with others.
 Referral centres provide guidance and assistance in
solving the information problems of the user community
regarding appropriate information.

28. REFERRAL CENTRES- DEFINITIONS
 1. Referral Centre is an organisation for directing
researchers for information and data to appropriate
sources such as, libraries , information centres, evaluation
centres, documents and documentation centres and
individuals. A referral centre does not supply data or
documents.
-Harrod’s Librarian’s Glossary
 It is like “Information Desk” which does not directly
provides information but suggests sources likeky to satisfy
enquirers.

29. REFERRAL CENTRES-
NEED AND PURPOSE
 The basic purpose is to ease the stress on a single
information system which is being loaded with all
services. Libraries are integral and fundamental
components of the information network system. They are
unable to handle the dynamic needs of users which some
times fall outside the contents of documents alone . Due
to information bulk, timely importance of current
information and also evaluation factor, referral centres
became the utmost need to take guidance of experts.

30. REFERRAL CENTRES-FUNCTIONS
 To collect world wide information about information/data
sources within the subject or mission.
 To prepare a comprehensive inventory of the types of
information/data services available form these sources
with a detailed subject index to facilitate its access.
 To guide users to appropriate sources where from the
required data or information may be obtained.
 To function as an intermediary between enquirer and the
organisation and/or individuals who possess specialised
knowledge.

31. REFERRAL CENTRES-
BASIC OPERATIONS
 A referral centre has to perform following basic
operations to achieve the objectives-
 A referral centre should possess an inventory of all
significant information resources in different disciplines.
 It should compile and publish directories of scientific and
technical information resources.
 A referral centre has to analyse the operating relationship
that exist in the scientific information complex.

32. INFORMATION RESOURCES FOR
REFERRAL CENTRES-
 For the purpose of referral centre, information resources
may be considered to include Professional Societies,
University Research Bureau and institutes, Government
agencies, libraries , Testing stations and individual experts
as well as more professional source of information such as
Technical libraries, Information and Documentation
Centres and abstracting and indexing services.
 A referral centre might receive request by letters, by
personal visits and through mobile/telephone. All the
information provided is noted to maintain a record of
information provided.

33. CLEARING HOUSES
 It is a central agency for collection, classification and
distribution of information.
 It may include specialised information centres as well as
conventional libraries.
 It represents a depository for documents with the additional
objective of serving as a central agency engaged in the
distribution of information.
 It also collects and maintains records of research and
development.
 Sometimes subjective questions in the record are referred to
source and clearing house may have to perform the function of
referral centre.

34. THE EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
INFORMATION CENTRE (ERIC)
 ERIC also acts a resource centre and provides referral
service.
 It is an online digital library of education research and
information.
 ERIC is sponsored by the Institute of Educational Sciences
of the United States Department of Education.
 The mission of ERIC is to provide a comprehensive, easy-
to-use, searchable Internet-based bibliographic and full-
text database of education research and information for
educators, researchers and general public.

35. ACTIVITIES OF SOME NOTABLE
REFERRAL CENTRES
 1.National Referral Centre, Library of Congress-
 It was opened in 1963 as National Referral Centre for
Science and Technology . This referral centre of reference
department works closely with another division i.e..
Science and Technology Division of the Library of
congress.
 It is designed as a clearing house and provides
comprehensive coordinated access to the nation’s
resources of Science and Technical information.

36. NOTABLE REFERRAL CENTRES
Cont……
 It maintains an exhaustive inventory of significant
information.
 It has developed a very comprehensive “register of
Information sources ” of different kinds.
 The centre maintains a file of over Twelve Thousand
experts and uses it to provide information to the users.
 The sources contain details of names , addresses and
a brief description of information source.

37. NOTABLE REFERRAL CENTRES
Cont……
 2. International Referral service of UNEP-
 The United Nations Environmental Programme
(UNEP) has established International Referral Service,
for all sources of Environmental information.
 In every country, a national group provides details
about the information through various local centres.

38. NOTABLE REFERRAL CENTRES
Cont……
 3.The Science and Technology Referral Centre of Israel-
 It provides information relating to information services available
to or from other information centres of Israel.
 Collects and disseminates information from sources both in Israel
and abroad which are not available through commercial channels
or whose acquisition requires , national, international or
Governmental participation.
 Publishes Directories and other reference materials which are of
national and interdisciplinary interest.

39. NOTABLE REFERRAL CENTRES
Cont……
4.INRES-
 United Nations established UNDP (United Nations
Development Programme) to develop a better quality of
life through development programmes.
 UNDP developed the Global Information Referral System
(INRES) which provide comprehensive and up-to-date
information or skills and capabilities available in
developing countries . These skills and capabilities can be
utilised for Technical Cooperation among Developing
Countries (TCDC).

40. NOTABLE REFERRAL CENTRES
Cont……
 The INRES/TCDC has been engaged in creation of various
information sources to provide referral service .
 It published Two directories of services of TCDC in 1977
and 1978.
 INRES has also built up a database of new sources of
information about capabilities of different institutes from
various developing countries.


41. REFERRAL DATABASE
 1.DARE- International Social Science Directory
 First and the largest UNESCO Database.
 Contains world wide reference to research and training
institutions, specialists , course projects , documentation
and information services in the field of Social Sciences.
 2. CODATA Referral Database (CRD)
 3.EDUPLAN – Educational Planning Institution
 4.INISTE – Institutions specialised in education, in the area
of Science and Technology policies.

42. CONCLUSION
 Data Centre handles “quantitative numerical
data” for Science and Technology . Data Banks are
multidisciplinary and handle all types of data
comprising administrative, statistical ,techno-
economic, etc. Referral Centre is “Directional
Source” which directs to a source of information.
It provides a mechanism for switching to
information sources. Referral centres collects
information sources and guides users to
appropriate sources.