Pilot study on the distribution of geological literature (Foreign documents in domestic collections)

Abstract

The study is based on the principle that development of science is strongly influenced by the fact how it is supplied with scientific literature covering the most favourable results of the field. - To survey current literature two selected lists were compiled and using the Union Catalogue compared with the holdings of respective Hungarian libraries. Calculations discovered the percentage of availability in the country, duplication and concentration (partly in big libraries partly in capital-provinces relation). The book-list was compiled using Soviet, German, French, English and American national bibliographies of the year 1969; the list of periodicals relied on four international bibliographies and abstracting services.
Distribution on national scale is reliable: 30% of the books are acquired. It is even better regarding to periodicals, i.e. 60% of them are available in Hungary, on average 3,5 copiee per title. The concentration is very considerable: predominant majority of foreign literature is in 5-6 libraries; more than 2/3 incoming literature is in the libraries of Budapest. Subsequent tasks are to realize the 131/1968 MM ministerial order regarding co-operative acquisition programmes; to increase the distribution of foreign literature; to decrease unnecessary duplication; and to improve the fulfilment of information requirements in connection with research activities outside the capital.