NFAIS Announces Organization Name Change
 

Philadelphia, PA, July 4, 2007 – NFAIS (www.nfais.org), the premier membership association for organizations that create, aggregate and facilitate access to information, announced today that their membership has approved its new name, the National Federation of Advanced Information Services (NFAIS). 

Founded in 1958 as the National Federation of Science Abstracting and Indexing Services (NFSAIS), the organization has kept pace with the evolving information community. In 1972 the term “Science” was dropped from its name in order to embrace other scholarly subject disciplines. In 1982 the term “Indexing” was changed to “Information” to more accurately reflect the broadening scope of its member organizations. As the organization approaches the 50th anniversary of its founding, it is again time for NFAIS to change.

“The past twenty-five years have witnessed significant technological advances within the information community,” said NFAIS President, Kevin Bouley. “And during that time our membership has rapidly evolved. While still facilitating the discovery of information through the creation of essential abstracts and indexes, many of the fourteen founding organizations* - and others that have joined over the years - have aggressively expanded into new information services. They have created their own distribution systems, added full text, developed innovative software and technology, and have embraced the Web as both a new distribution channel and a new source of valuable content. NFAIS’ new name embraces the current role of its membership and sets us on an exciting new course for the next fifty years.”

“There are organizations, large and small,” she said, “that have embraced change and successfully begun their own unique transformation. They have evaluated their mission, strengths and weaknesses against the growth possibilities offered by the current information environment. And most importantly, they are willing to take risks to pursue the opportunities that they believe will offer them success. The conference program will include case studies by organizations that have already begun the process of change - through product extension to adjacent markets, through new business models and distribution channels, by repackaging their content or adopting new technologies, by entering into collaborative ventures, etc. Professionals who attend will be able to incorporate some of these ideas into their own organization’s plans for creating change.”

 Linda Beebe, NFAIS Immediate Past-President, reinforced Bouley’s sentiments. “As a Director of an NFAIS founding member, the American Psychological Association (APA), I can attest to the evolution of the Abstracting and Indexing community (A&I) as well as to that of NFAIS. More than 40 years ago APA was a pioneer in the electronic dissemination of information along with other founding organizations such as the National Library of Medicine, BIOSIS (part of Thomson Scientific), Chemical Abstracts Service, and Engineering Index (now Elsevier Engineering Information). Today APA continues to advocate for and explore new technologies, and we view our NFAIS membership and participation in NFAIS programs as being a key component to our success throughout the information evolution. The new name represents our community well, reinforcing the changes that have taken place within the A&I arena and embracing the technology providers that have joined our organization in recent years. It is an appropriate kick-off for our next 50 years!”

Founded in 1958, NFAIS is a membership organization of almost 60 of the world’s leading producers of databases, information services, and information technology in the sciences, engineering, social sciences, business, and the arts and humanities. For more information on NFAIS and its member organizations, or on NFAIS Annual Conferences and meetings, contact Jill O’Neill, Director of Communication and Planning, NFAIS, 1518 Walnut Street, Suite 1004, Philadelphia, PA (phone: 215-893-1561; fax: 215-893-1564; email: jilloneill@nfais.org), or visit the NFAIS web site (www.nfais.org).

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*NFAIS Founding Organizations: Aeronautical Reviews (Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences), Applied Mechanics Review (Southwest Research Institute), Bibliography of Agriculture (AGRICOLA – National Agricultural Library), Biological Abstracts (now part of Thomson Scientific), Chemical Abstracts (American Chemical Society), Current List of Medical Literature (National Library of Medicine), Engineering Index (now Elsevier Engineering Information), Mathematical Reviews (American Mathematical Society), Meteorological Abstracts (American Meteorological Society, Psychological Abstracts (American Psychological Association), Nuclear Science Abstracts (Department of Energy), Review of Metal Literature (American Society for Metals), Technical Abstract Bulletin (Defense Technical Information Center), United States Government Research Reports (NTIS). For a complete list of current members go to: http://www.nfais.org/members/members.htm.
   

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