Problems of scientific and technical information for industry

Abstract

Small and medium-size industrial companies are usually unable to maintain an information group of their own, thus their information needs say only be solved by means of national centres.
In addition to books and periodicals, patent specifications and trade literature constitute another significant information source for them. With science becoming a direct productive force a new demand arises: industry needs information on scientific works (research reports, dissertations and the like) in an attempt to formulate its development policy, to make investment decisions and to define its research directions.
Information needs, however, tend to appear at various levels and consequently with various intensity. There are differences depending on whether the need originates from production, from research or from designing operations. But differences may also arise depending on the function (management, technological operations, economic activities, supply) of the group the need comes from.
Various needs may be met in various ways (bibliographies, bulletins, SDI systems, analytic and synthetizing works, etc.). The international exhibition of trade literature, arranged annually in Katowice, is an interesting form.
The meeting of information needs is promoted, on nation-wide level, by the close cooperation of scientific and technical associations and information offices, built up at all levels. These associations take an active part in technical extension, too, and have libraries and publications of their own.
Top management personnel require analytic and synthetizing information relating to the problem they have to face, while researcher request the whole source material: in either case, the arrangement of conferences, exhibitions, meetings, film shows proves useful for either category of users. The form or forms to be adopted are determined by means of surveying the needs. A survey indicated that 25 per cent of users prefer the periodical Iiterature, almost 25 per cent the patent specifications, another 15 per cent the trade Iiterature. 35 per cent are interested in the new technology and in new constructions, 13 per cent are concerned with economic issues and another 13 per cent with management-organization problems.
In the field of information for industry, international cooperation should be particularly emphasized: this is furthered by the activities of FID/II (Information for Industry) Committee.