I thought that Eurotalk members might be interested in this 
message from lis-link

--- Begin Forwarded Message ---
Date: Mon, 23 Aug 1999 18:20:28 +0100
From: Gary OWEN <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: EIRENE - Are You a Member?


WHAT IS EIRENE? ( http://www.eirene.com)

EIRENE is a professional association representing over 65 information
brokers (academic and commercial) from the EU, EFTA and Eastern European
countries. The primary purpose of EIRENE is to promote contacts between
European information brokers. The network aims to increase access to
information and develop information brokerage as a commercial activity,
whilst working towards raising the quality of services to clients.

EIRENE members have adopted and are adhering to the European Code of
Practice, which is subject to arbitration. The Code is being policed by the
President of EIRENE, EUSIDIC, and a user representative. Members have
reported that the code has increased their marketing power and clients feel
assured and confident.


THE INFORMATION BROKERS' CODE OF PRACTICE

Information Broking is the generic term for a person or organisation
contracting to supply information services. There are several terms in use
by people in the field: information broker, information consultant,
freelance librarian, information specialist, information on demand,
fee-based information service, information retailer, infomediary.

Most of the definitions are represented by one or more of the organisations
in this list of EIRENE members. Information broking is a recently emerging
profession and has not yet developed a tradition of legislative or industry
control and codes. For this reasion in 1993 EIRENE, together with EUSIDIC
and EIIA formulated a code of practice with support from DG XIII of the
European Commission. Since then EIRENE, the European Information
Researchers Network along with af2I, Association Francaise de
Intermediaires en Information; and DGD, the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur
Dokumentation, have undertaken to adopt this code and to put in place
procedures to ensure adherence to it, within their organisations.

The code defines the ethical principles of the profession, eg, integrity,
confidentiality, business ethics as well as the quality of service to the
client, where elements such as good practice, professional competence,
confidentiality and liability are treated. The existence of the code means
that clients can feel confident that information brokers who subscribe to
the code are honest and trustworthy people, who respect confidentiality and
act within sound business principles. 
Membership of EIRENE provides an information broker with:
Entry in the EIRENE membership directory, available in hard-copy format and
on EIRENE's Web page.
Regular newsletter which reports events in information brokerage throughout
Europe, profiles information brokers and reviews new products.


THE BENEFITS

These are the discounts currently available to EIRENE members:

Data Star - 5% discount off all Datastar usage – Data Star's annual fee
waived. 

DIALOG - 5% discount off all DIALOG usage – No cost access to Dialmail for
delivery of prints and alerts – DIALOG;s annual fee waived.

Infocheck - Schedule of discounts includes 25% off Full Reports and Non –
limited Reports; Registered office details, Daily Financial News, Priority
Watchout and the Bulletin Board are all free of charge.

Global Scan - Includes 35% discount available for Credit Reports Balance
Sheets and Full Reports 

Other discounts are currently being negotiated, but please let us know if
there are any services which you regularly use and where we can approach
the supplier and discuss options.


OTHER BENEFITS

Entry in the EIRENE membership directory, available in hard-copy format and
on EIRENE's Web page.

Regular newsletter which reports events in information brokerage throughout
Europe, profiles information brokers and reviews new products.

EIRENE annual meeting

Representation at the International Online Exhibition in London, and other
major information conferences and exhibitions.

Links with other major information organisations such as Eusidic and AIIP.

Low cost training events aimed specifically at information brokers

Access to an international network.

Apart from full members, another category of membership is that of
Associate Member, open to information brokers outside Europe or companies
who work in parallel professions. Details of Associate Members are included
in a section towards the back of the directory and on our website.

For information or registration forms for any of the above, please contact:

EIRENE Secretariat, Instant Library Limited, 
The Charnwood 
Gas Research & Technology Centre 
Ashby Road 
Loughborough 
Leicestershire LE11 3GS
Tel +44 (0) 1509 268 292
Fax +44 (0) 1509 232 748
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
URL: http://www.eirene.com

Full membership = £150 per year
Associate membership = £80 per year 

--- End Forwarded Message ---


----------------------
Patrick Overy
EDC Librarian
University of Exeter

Amory Building
Rennes Drive
EXETER EX4 4RJ
Tel. (01392) 263356
Fax. (01392) 263196
e-mail [log in to unmask]
website http://www.ex.ac.uk/~pcovery/lib/eurostudies.html




%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%