In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided an information retrieval system. The system comprises a plurality of local databases accessible by users on corresponding local networks and a parent database for managing information stored in the plurality of local databases, the parent database being coupled with the plurality of local databases by a global network. The system further comprises at least one server for receiving a query request from a user on one of the local networks for querying the corresponding local database and for querying the parent database to determine if the query can be fulfilled by others of the local databases.
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