The Cygnus information services staff has a reputation for being responsive, accurate, reliable, and comprehensive in meeting both client and target audience information needs. We also use the latest technology to acquire, maintain, and disseminate information. Cygnus assists clients with the following information services:

• Managing clearinghouse and resource center operations
• Designing and maintaining databases 
• Responding to inquiries from health professionals, researchers, scientists, sociologists, the public, and the media via telephone, mail, fax, and e-mail 
• Preparing customized and standard responses to requests 
• Establishing and staffing toll-free hotlines 
• Conducting customized literature searches  
• Preparing literature reviews 
• Managing materials distribution/information dissemination 
• Maintaining inventories of materials and warehouse stock 
• Providing library services 
• Collecting and tracking fees collected for materials  
• Acquiring, abstracting, indexing, and cataloging materials 
• Preparing thesauri and bibliographies 
• Developing and maintaining mailing lists

Information Systems Management  

Our information systems staff learns about the different functions of a project to improve and integrate the use of computer systems for our clients. We provide the following services in this area:

• Developing, maintaining, and enhancing grants management databases that interface with mainframe databases 
• Developing, maintaining, and enhancing administrative management databases  
• Interfacing different types of computers with a variety of laboratory equipment  
• Providing user training on off-the-shelf or customized software programs  
• Analyzing hardware and software needs, then making appropriate recommendations  
• Developing and maintaining World Wide Web sites  
• Installing and maintaining local area networks  
• Operating electronic bulletin board systems