CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
INFORMATION SERVICES CENTRE
Defying Distance to Information Access
Mission Statement
The mission of the Information Services Centre (ISC) is to provide quality, cost-effective, information services in support of the Caribbean Development Bank’s staff, Borrowing Member Countries, approved consultants and other researchers involved in the development of the Caribbean Region. Inherent in the ISC mission is the ongoing commitment to defying distance to information access.
Purpose
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is a regional financial institution. CDB was established for the purpose of contributing to the harmonious economic growth and development of the member countries in the Caribbean. CDB intends to be the leading catalyst for development resources in the Region.
CDB recognizes that sustainable social and economic development planning depends on access to reliable data and information resources. ISC is a specialized information facility which provides integrated library and information services in support of CDB’s overall aims and objectives as embodied in the mission statement and strategic plan.
Information and Reference Services
ISC is dedicated to acquiring and preserving a superb collection of resources in all formats. ISC acquires information from various sources including regional and international organisations, financial institutions, UN specialized agencies and government agencies.
ISC provides a full range of cataloguing services including original indexing, abstracting and classification. It also develops and maintains various information repositories on specialized subjects relating to development planning.
ISC provides a range of reference and research services including online database searching, internet searching, inter-library loan, resource discovery, information alerting and document delivery. The ISC staff is committed to providing the most highly competent assistance to the use of information resources and delivery of reference services.
ISC provides a physical space, a working environment and linkage to the virtual library. The User ID for external users is B9030.
Development Research Collection
ISC collection consists of reference books, monographs, handbooks, directories, journals, newspapers, conference reports and specialized technical writings.
The collection covers a broad range of subjects, including:
§ Energy and Technology
§ Agriculture
§ Environment
§ Economic policy/planning
§ Banks and banking
§ Industry
§ Reference Materials
Online Resource Services
CDB Infolink is the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC). The OPAC provides access to bibliographic records, PDF, Word and multimedia resources. CDB Infolink may be accessed through CDB’s corporate website at www.caribank.org. The User ID for external users is B9030.
ISC Staff may also access other electronic resources and online journals to meet the information needs of clients including:
· EBSCO Host Online
· Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) online
· World Development Indicators Online
· Global Development Finance Online
· International Monetary Fund (IMF) Statistics
· OECD Economic Outlook
Information Products
ISC publishes new title listings. These publications are available on Infolink. You may also contact ISC to be added to the mailing list.
Borrowing
Borrowing privileges are open to CDB staff and approved consultants. External users may not borrow items but are allowed to use the information resources in the ISC Reading Room. Access to photocopying is available at a nominal fee.
ISC receives many inquiries on a daily basis. The Staff will make every effort to answer your information queries, refer you to the technical staff involved in the field or direct you to other sources of information.
ISC’s External Relations
ISC continues to pursue an active role in the development of regional information systems and the utilization of information technology. It is strongly committed to the coordination of information activities on a national, regional and international level. ISC is a regional focal point for several information systems. ISC also participates in networks, consortia and programs which promote resource sharing of collections and information services.
ISC Hours and Access
Opening hours of the ISC are 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. External visitors must make an appointment by contacting the Information Services Centre.
For additional information, please contact:
Officer-in-Charge, Information Services Unit
Caribbean Development Bank
P. O. Box 408
Wildey, St. Michael
Barbados, W.I. 11000
Tel: ((246) 431-1780 or (246) 431-1600 PBX
Fax: (246) 426-7269
Email: isc@caribank.org or parrisa@caribank.org