RESOURCE CENTRE MANUAL
HEALTHLINK WORLDWIDE
4.3 Sources of materials
A wide range of sources can be used to find out what materials are available.
The main sources are:
• producers and distributors
• bibliographic sources
• local information sources
• the Internet.
TIP: Developing contacts
It is a good idea to develop contacts with local, national and
international organisations that produce or disseminate information
that may be of use to users. Book fairs and exhibitions are a good
place to develop contacts. Details of organisations should be kept on
file. Organisations should be contacted, asking to be put on their
mailing list to receive regular information about new materials.
4.3.1 Producers and distributors
Producers and distributors include:
• specialist suppliers
• commercial publishers
• United Nations agencies
• government departments
• non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
• professional associations
• training institutions
• subscription agents.
Specialist suppliers, such as the African Books Collective, Hesperian
Foundation, IT Publications, PACT, Tropical Health Technology and
Teaching-aids at Low Cost (TALC), supply materials to developing countries,
usually at lower prices than commercial publishers. Suppliers' catalogues are
available free on request.
SECTION 4: DEVELOPING THE COLLECTION
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