NCJRS -- Sharing Information for More than 30 Years

• NCJ Number: 196550
• Journal: National Institute of Justice Journal Issue: 250 Dated: November 2003 Pages: 32-33
• Author(s): Cheryl Bissell; Jonathan Witte
• Date Published: November 2003
• Length: 2 pages
• Publication Series: NIJ Journal
• Agencies: NIJ
• Publication Type: Historical Overview

Annotation

This article discusses the 30-year anniversary of the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) and the services provided.

Abstract

The NCJRS, as one of the first federally funded clearinghouses, gives criminal justice professionals a single resource for information. Staff answer questions; provide statistics; offer referrals; select publications to match needs; compile packages of information; search for additional resources; and provide other technical assistance to the President, Congress, Federal, State, and local policymakers and practitioners, educators, and the general public. The Web site showcases recent publications and topical issues related to criminal and juvenile justice and drug policy. From the home page, an assortment of tools and services are available, including full text publications, abstracts database, online shopping, grants and funding opportunities, calendar of events, and links to the 15 agencies that sponsor NCJRS. Registered users can receive the NCJRS catalog, JUSTINFO (an electronic newsletter), and periodic e-mail notices about publications and issues that match subscribers’ specific interests. NCJRS sponsors a network of editors in the field of criminal justice. Any agency or organization that publishes a newsletter, magazine, bulletin, or other document can join the Criminal Justice Editors’ Group. NCJRS was established in 1972. The first NCJRS regular publication--called SNI, or Selective Notification of Information--was produced in 1979. The Web site was launched in 1995. The abstracts database was put online in 1997. As of 2002, all grant research reports are posted online and available for downloading.