Information Management 



realized. Such services must be planned not only for the present but for 

 the next ten years. 



Recognizing that data management support is deficient, the Marine 

 Sciences Council initiated in 1967 a major contract study on marine infor- 

 mation problems. While final results of the study will not be available until 

 early 1969, preliminary findings suggest steps necessary to improve existing 

 marine data centers, and some corrective measures are being taken now. 



Data Center Operations 



Four marine data centers are currently operated by the Federal Govern- 

 ment. The proposed FY 1969 budgets for these centers are shown in 

 Table IX. 1. 



Table IX.l— FY 1969 Data Center Budgets 



♦Supplemented by funds transferred from other agencies for reimbursable projects: FY 1968, $977,000 ; 

 FY 1969, $1,165,000. 



National Oceanographic Data Center 



The National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), located in Wash- 

 ington, D.C., was established by the Navy in 1960 and has been supported 

 by multi-agency funding since that time. It provides oceanographic data 

 from both foreign and domestic sources to United States and foreign organi- 

 zations and institutions concerned with marine science and technology and 

 ocean-related affairs. The Center receives, compiles, processes,and preserves 

 oceanographic data; establishes procedures for insuring the accuracy and 

 general quality of the data; prepares data summaries and tabulations; pre- 

 pares and makes available indices of its holdings and other information 

 necessary for requesting data or services; and performs data processing 

 services at cost. 



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