AWIC

ANIMAL WELFARE INFORMATION CENTER NEWSLETTER

Provided by the Animal Welfare Information Center
United States Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Library

Vol. 1 Nos. 1&2 Spring/Summer 1990

ISSN: 1050-561X
National Agricultural Library
AWIC, Room 304
Beltsville, MD 20705
Phone (301) 344-3212
FAX (301) 344-5472

EDITOR'S NOTE

The Animal Welfare Information Center Newsletter will be a quarterly publication providing information to investigators, veterinarians, technicians, administrators, and others interested in laboratory animal care and use. Each issue will focus on a particular topic pertinent to research animals. We also plan to provide readers with updates of AWIC's publications, upcoming conferences legislative developments, and new information technology. We expect to include articles form key people in the animal welfare arena. If you would like to contribute articles or information, please contact us.

We hope this newsletter will provide a valuable service to our readers. If you have nay suggestions about how we might improve the newsletter, please contact the AWIC staff.


AWIC: ITS RESOURCES AND SERVICES

by

Janice C. Swanson, Ph.D.
Technical Information Specialist
AWIC

National Agricultural Library's History

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) was established when Abraham Lincoln signed the Organic Act of 1862. Issac Newton, then Commissioner of Agriculture, suggested that an institution be established to take responsibility for the acquisition and dissemination of agricultural information. Hence the USDA library, now known as the National Agricultural Library (NAL) was born.

Currently NAL houses over 2 million volumes of agricultural information in the form of books, journals, audiovisuals, computer software, microforms, trade magazines, and other types of print and non-print media. State land grant universities and USDA field libraries work with NAL as an information delivery network.

Information Centers Branch and AWIC Established

In 1987 the Information Centers Branch at NAL was established in response to the increasing demand for information and rapidly changing technology in the field of information science. There are 15 information centers staffed by subject area specialists (technical information specialists and librarians) who provide coverage of topics ranging from biotechnology to food and nutrition. Through a combination of subject area expertise, on-line computerized information retrieval services and expert networking, the staff provide comprehensive subject information to their patrons. Specific information centers are currently in place for alternative farming systems (low-input/sustainable agriculture), agricultural trade and marketing, animal welfare, aquaculture, biotechnology, critical agricultural materials, family, fiber and textiles, food and nutrition, food irradiation, horticulture, rural, technology transfer, water quality and youth development.

The Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) was established in 1986 under provisions of the Improved Standards for Laboratory Animals Act of 1985, an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act. Congress mandated NAL to establish an information center which would provide information on the following subjects:

The Staff

The AWIC staff of five technical information specialists (see ABOUT THE STAFF, below) bring to the center an assortment of expertise in the laboratory and agricultural animal sciences. The primary responsibility of the staff is to answer patron requests concerning research animal care and use. However, the staff also produce information products on topics that are both timely and pertinent to animal welfare (see AVAILABLE PUBLICATIONS, below). In addition, they attend, present and exhibit at conferences and workshops, select and acquire materials for the collection, establish a network of field experts, provide congressional assistance, and stay abreast of the latest developments in animal welfare and information technology.

AGRICOLA

NAL has its own bibliographic database called AGRICOLA (AGRICultural On-Line Access). The AGRICOLA database contains over 2.6 million records (with 90,000 added each year) and covers all aspects of agriculture and related topics such as veterinary science and animal production. AGRICOLA may be accessed by computer using standard telecommunications devices (modem) through two information database vendors - DIALOG Information Retrieval Service and Bibliographic Retrieval Service (BRS). For unlimited access to AGRICOLA for a fixed fee and no telecommunication charge, AGRICOLA may also be purchased on CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory) from Silver Platter Information, Inc., OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc., or Quanta Press. (Mention of commercial enterprises or brand names does not constitute endorsement or imply preference by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.) The CD-ROM system requires and IBM-PC or IBM compatible with 512KB of memory and a CD-ROM disk drive.

AGRICOLA's coverage of animal welfare includes literature and audiovisuals spanning all aspects of laboratory animal science, farm animal production, husbandry and welfare, and wildlife. Recently, new directives have been issued that cover marine mammals, zoo animals and other captive wildlife at the request of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Materials on bioethics, philosophical works and religious writings addressing man's relationship to animals and the natural world are also included in the collection. Besides searching AGRICOLA, the staff routinely access other databases such as MEDLINE, BIOSIS PREVIEWS, CA SEARCH, CAB ABSTRACTS, ZOOLOGICAL RECORD ONLINE, and TOXLINE.

Grants and Cooperative Agreements

During the past three years AWIC's grants/cooperative agreements program has produced books, symposia proceedings, manuals and audiovisuals relating to various aspects of laboratory animal welfare and alternatives.

For example, the Animal Behavior Society (ABS), in conjunction with the University of Maryland, published proceedings from the 1988 ABS special session on behavioral research and animal care and use committees. Although AWIC is not offering a grants program this fiscal year, projects can be funded through NAL's cooperative agreement program. Unlike a grant, the cooperative agreement is considered a joint project between AWIC and the outside participant. Funding usually includes AWIC staff time to complete portions of the proposed project. Two cooperative agreements have been funded thus far. The University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana will compile and publish a comprehensive directory or resources, and the University of Maryland is developing an expert system for proper use of anesthesia and analgesia in laboratory animals under experimental conditions.

Contacting AWIC

Patrons are welcome to visit the Center on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. AWIC staff may also be contacted through NAL's electronic bulletin board system, Agricultural Library Forum (ALF).

ALF has a special conference module for animal welfare whereby messages can be posted and new AWIC information products, services and activities are announced. No costs are incurred for using the system since it can be accessed via a toll free number (800-345-5785). An ALF user's guide is available from the Center.

The direct telephone number for AWIC is (301) 344-3212. If you wish to use other information centers call the Information Centers Branch automated telephone system at (301) 344-3704. Messages may be left if calling during the weekend or off-hours.




ABOUT THE STAFF...

Coordinator Jean Larson heads the Animal Welfare Information Center. A fifteen-year USDA employee, she came to NAL in 1982. For a time, Jean was acting head of both AWIC and the Biotechnology Information Center (BIC). She now focuses entirely on AWIC. Jean earned an A.A.S. degree in Laboratory Technology, a B.S. degree in Zoology, and an M.S. degree in Small Mammal Ecology.

Janice Swanson joined the Animal Welfare Information Center as a technical Information Specialist in March of 1987. Janice earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Animal Science from the University of Connecticut and her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, specializing in applied animal ethology. Her past research experience includes working with rodents and large animals in the behavioral sciences.

Kevin Engler, technical information specialist and editor of the AWIC newsletter, joined the Animal Welfare Information Center in May of 1988. Before coming to NAL, he served two years in the Peace Corps as an Agricultural Extension Volunteer in the Philippines. Kevin earned a B.S. degree in Animal Science and an M.S. degree in Poultry Nutrition from the University of Maryland.

Technical information specialist Karen Clingerman began part time with the Center in 1988 while completing graduate work at the University of Maryland. Now a full-time employee, Karen holds a B.S. degree in Environmental Science and an M.S. degree in Animal Science. Originally from Pennsylvania, Karen has lived in Maryland for four years.

Cynthia Smith began working as a technical information specialist in April. Her past work experience includes research positions in animal science, behavioral science, and poultry science. Cynthia holds a B.S. degree and an M.S. degree in Animal Science from Virginia Tech and the University of Illinois, respectively.

Secretary Diane Ihasz is the newest staff member. Before coming to NAL, she worked with the University Honors Program at the University of Maryland. Diane holds a B.A. degree in Sociology from California State University at Long Beach.

AVAILABLE PUBLICATIONS

The AWIC staff generate bibliographies and other information products covering many aspects of animal care and use. Most products are developed to respond quickly to routine reference questions. Quick Bibliographies contain materials retrieved only from NAL's database AGRICOLA, while Special Reference Briefs contain citations from a variety of databases. The Center also distributes guides and annotated listings on various subjects. Occasionally the Center will assist other organizations in distributing materials, such as the pamphlet produced by the Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources. While copies last, we are distributing the videotape "Resources Today for the Research of Tomorrow," which outlines the Center's services and resources. All publications listed below are available from AWIC at no charge.

To order, circle the dot before the appropriate title(s) and return this page or a copy of it with a return address to AWIC.

Quick Bibliographies:

Searching AGRICOLA: Special Reference Briefs Miscellaneous: Annotated Bibliographies: Other Publications Available from AWIC: Videotapes:

NOTE: The publication entitled "Animal Care and Use in Behavioral Research: Regulations, Issues, and Applications" is now available from NTIS, Sills Bldg., 5285 Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22161. Ph. (703) 487-465


LEGISLATION UPDATE

- S. 2346 Veal Calf Protection Act of 1990

Introduced March 27, 1990, to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry by Senator Harry D. Reid (D-Nev.). Discusses recommended practices for raising veal calves.

- S. 2292 Food Security Act of 1990

Introduced March 9, 1990, to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry by Senator Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.). Contains a subtitle on Animal Health Protection which outlines provisions for transporting livestock.

- S. 2169 "...to impose a five-year moratorium on the granting of patents on genetically altered or modified animals..."

Introduced February 26, 1990, to the Judiciary Committee by Senator Mark O. Hatfield (R-Ore.). Congress recommends a five-year moratorium on the patenting of genetically engineered animals so that the economic, environmental and ethical issues pertaining to the patenting of animals can be assessed.

UPCOMING MEETINGS...

Scientists Center for Animal Welfare - Farm Animals, September 6- 7, 1990. Washington, DC. Contact: SCAW (301) 654-6390.

American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) [Regional Meeting], September 1990. Hunt Valley, MD. Contact: AALAS (901) 754-8620.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Regional Workshop on Implementation of the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy, September 9-11, 1990. Los Angeles, CA. Contact: Gitta Walton (213) 825-8714.


United States Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Library
Animal Welfare Information Center
Newsletter Staff, Room 304
Beltsville, MD 20705

ANIMAL WELFARE INFORMATION CENTER NEWSLETTER
(ISSN 1050-561X)
is published quarterly by the National Agricultural Library and provides current information on laboratory animal welfare to investigators, technicians, administrators, and the public.

Kevin Engler, Editor
Karen Clingerman, Production and Layout (301) 344-3212
AWIC

Animal Welfare Information Center
United States Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Library

USDA Cooperative Agreement No. 58-0520-5-076 - July, 1995