Organisation of Scientific Abstracting Services

Abstract

As chairman of a small committee entrusted with the task of surveying the methods employed in scientific and technical abstract services, I invite the co-operation of editors and intelligence officers in collecting a body of information from which suggestions leading to increased efficiency may be derived. A conference recently held at the invitation of Mr. H. T. Tizard, president of the Association of Special Libraries and Information Bureaux, was attended by representatives of a large number of such services. Consideration was given, inter alia, to methods of dealing with foreign publications; this is one of the subjects in which information is sought, but the opportunity is being taken to gather confidential statements of fact and opinion which will form the basis of a comprehensive report on this most essential contribution to scientific progress. Responsible officers of organisations of the character indicated are invited to complete a questionnaire which has already been dispatched, or will be forwarded on receipt of a post-card, by Mr. S. S. Bullock, general secretary of the Association of Special Libraries and Information Bureaux, 16 Russell Square, London, W.C.l.