Organization of and access to information in agriculture: central library of the ministry of agriculture and forestry sample

Agricultural knowledge has played a decisive role throughout human history, influencing various areas from production to many other fields, and has been passed down through generations in both written and oral forms. Today, thanks to digitalization and advancements in information technologies, the collection, organization, preservation, and access to agricultural knowledge have become more systematic, faster, and user-oriented. This master's thesis examines the processes of information organization and access within the agricultural sector through the case of the Central Library of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The primary aim of the research is to investigate the library's information management processes, analyse users' methods of accessing information, and evaluate the impacts of digitalization in this context. The target audience of the study consists of 187.089 users who accessed information via the Central Library of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's website in 2023. A sample group of 383 participants, selected based on proportional sampling method, was surveyed to analyse users' experiences in accessing information, the challenges they faced, and their expectations. The thesis provides a detailed evaluation of various elements including the role of information management systems in accessing agricultural knowledge, the effectiveness of digital library services, the cataloguing and classification systems used in the library, technological infrastructure, and user satisfaction. The findings indicate that the library's digital services significantly facilitate user access to information, although there remain areas need improvement in infrastructure, content, and user training. It has been concluded that the Central Library of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is a crucial centre for agricultural information management, offering tangible contributions to the agricultural sector through effective information organization, digital resource management and user-friendly access systems. This study highlights the role that libraries can play in improving information access processes and increasing agricultural productivity, and also offers strategic recommendations for the development of information services for public institutions.