Management of Local Information Resources of Local Rice in Surin Province

Abstract

           This present study aimed to 1) study problem conditions, 2) study needs for services and information resources management, and 3) study guidelines for the management of local information resources of local rice in Surin province. The qualitative research method was used to collect the data. Areas of research were at Surin Rice Research Center, Surin Rice Seed Center, Office of Academic Resources and Information Technology, Surindra Rajabhat university, and Academic Resources and Information Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Surin Campus. The samples of the study were 1) 8 users, 2) 6 service providers, and 3) 4 executives. Data was collected by structured interview. Content analysis was used to analyze and synthesize qualitative data.

            The findings indicated that 1) problems of managing local information resources of local rice in Surin province between educational institutions and specialized information sources on rice were differed in policy, selection, procurement, system organization and accessibility as well as local information services on local rice. 2) The needs of users and service providers on the management of local information resources of local rice in Surin province paid attention to policy formulation, selection, and procurement. The operating committee had to be established officially and participatory. Information resources should be varied and kept systematically and easy to access. Besides, specialized information sources of rice required personnel with knowledge and capabilities in managing information resources and services. 3) Guidelines for the management of local information resources of local rice in Surin province should be operated in the form of a local participatory information network between local authorities, users, and service providers. The information resources procurement should be available in a variety of ways from the local information network, Provincial Administrative Organization, farmers, researchers, and folk philosophers. There should be a specific room for local information resources. A collection of information resources should be organized in the form of real, virtual, and digital media. The information storage and retrieval system should be simple and provided multiple access channels to facilitate searching through the internet both inside and outside information sources. Moreover, there should be a dedicated professional librarian as well as enhancing creative skills, exhibition design skills, and skills on virtual and digital media creation.