Distribution of publications in print, electronic and audiovisual formats
PDS
The Publications Distribution Service (PDS) is CTA’s main outreach arm, with Spore/Esporo reaching over 46,000 subscribers. PDS also distributes other (institutional and co-) publications in both electronic and print formats including CD-ROMs as well as non-CTA reference publications to 38,000 subscribers (from the 46,000 subscribers to Spore/Esporo).
In 2008, CTA increased the outreach of its products/services: + 3,000 subscribers to Spore/Esporo; 112,000 publications distributed while the objective was 75,000.
In 2009, this trend has continued with the implementation of a book donation programme as the follow-up to a Joint-Learning Review (INFOIR), missions and needs assessment studies carried out in 26 ACP countries, including 6 post-conflict countries. The book donation programme aims at responding to urgent and critical needs by replenishing libraries with a large set of documentary resources that can be further upgraded using the PDS credit points system. So far, mainly information and documentation centres from public organisations (research, training/extension, education) have benefitted from the programme. However 2010 will see a continuation and an expansion of the programme to other countries and target categories.
2010 will also see a continuation of the reform undertaken in 2009 to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the publications distribution: redefinition of the policy and procedures in the management of the subscriptions and credit points; functional analysis of the IT system to support the management of the subscriptions and the credit points.
