The report reviews the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) and assesses how well the center is managing its holdings, serving its users, and supporting NOAA's mission. It concludes that NGDC is the natural place within NOAA and the nation for stewardship and dissemination of data related to the solid Earth and space environment. These subject areas are also relevant to NOAA's new priority on integrated environmental approaches. For NGDC to fulfill its potential, however, it must first rearticulate its mission and overcome some solvable problems, including obtaining effective feedback from its users and organizing the center to eliminate parallel activities and reduce scientific isolation among the divisions.
Table of Contents
Front Matter Executive Summary 1. Introduction 2. Overview of NGDC 3. Improving the Effectiveness of NGDC 4. NGDC Mission and Vision 5. Conclusions Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members Appendix B: Criteria for Review Appendix C: NGDC Holdings Appendix D: NOAA, NESDIS, and NGDC Missions, Visions, and Strategic Objectives Appendix E: NGDC Performance Measures and Milestones Appendix F: Acronyms
