Profile: Jai Haravu
Eberlee, J.
Idrc Reports 23(4): 17
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0315-9981 PMID: 12296167 Document Number: 310630
This article presents a profile of Jai Haravu, head of the library and documentation services at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Patancheru, India. With over 30 years of experience in the information field, Haravu believes that professional librarians have a critical role in promoting the benefits of new information technologies in developing countries. Since 1964, Haravu has been designing and implementing computer-based tools to improve information services for scientific and technical users of libraries in India and globally. At ICRISAT, Haravu coordinates the Semi-Arid Tropical Crops Information Service (SATCRIS), an innovative program that applies computer-based tools to provide information retrieval and dissemination services. The program, partially funded by the International Development Center, provides information on 5 crops, and based on the needs of the users, the ICRISAT team developed various information products. Among these are an automated selective dissemination of information service, and a sophisticated information retrieval service. Although proud of SATCRIS, Haravu sees the service as a short-term solution in meeting information needs in developing countries. Accordingly, the ICRISAT team has developed products including information storage and retrieval software, specialized databases, and locational tools to help libraries in the institution of the national agricultural research systems expand their roles.