Information Repackaging Services and Products: A Study with Special Reference to Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL)

Abstract

Information repackaging services encompass analysis, consolidation and packaging of information to present ideas or concepts in a more attractive and understandable way to the end users. It include specialized information services focusing on collecting, analyzing, restructuring, reformatting, organizing and consolidating information from various sources in accordance with the needs of specific target group of users. The applications of the concept of information repackaging in NPOL, a kochi based research & development laboratory coming under Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India are discussed in the paper. The basic aim of the study is to examine the salient features and types of information repackaging services and products available in the organization. It presents the analysis and findings of a study on IR services provided there. It also examines the important repackaged products in the organization focusing on the perception and preferences of users on IR services. The results of the study shows that many useful IR products in various forms for different applications are developed in the laboratory and information seekers are very much interested in these types of services. The study envisages that library can assume a prominent role in the development and dissemination of IR products. It can be used as a reference model for introducing and refining IR services in other research institutions also.