Library and technical information service at the British Columbia Research Council

Abstract

In his paper presented on May 24, 1971, at the Hungarian Central Technical Library and Documentation Centre (OMDK), Dr. TRUSSEL, director of B.C. Research (Vancouver, Canada), gave an account of the operation of the library and technical information services at the industrial research institute known as B.C. Research. B.C. Research refers to the technical operation of the British Columbia Research Council, a non-profit society working in co-operation with the National Research Council of Canada.

B.C. Research as an industrial research organization is engaged in projects covering – at present – the following broad fields: applied biology, applied chemistry, engineering, applied physics. Within these fields, the library and Information services play an important part in providing Information on the "state of the art" of the said field, in evaluating new areas of competence under consideration, and in providing a continuous supply of information on areas of competence that have been established. Since the organization is located on the campus of the University of British Columbia, whose extensive library services are made accessible for the staff of the B.C. Research, the organization’s library is only to meet the most relevant and immediate information needs of the organization's research staff and of out-side users. Thus the library does not need to be as large as it would be if it were operating independently. The library contains certain core material, but specializes only in areas of the organization's scientific and technical competence. Containing some 4000 volumes and 250 journals, the library gives special information services, without, however, making an attempt at indexing or aiming the mechanization of library operations. At the same time it is in close co-operation with the National Research Council at Ottawa, where computerized searching and other services are available.

The author outlines the operation and services of the organization handling about 1200 inquiries each year, and refers to its relationship with external users and other similar Canadian organizations.

Finally, the author outlines the activities of the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organizations (WAITRO) with special view to the technical assistance to be given to the developing countries. As Secretary-General of WAITRO, Dr. TRUSSEL has invited Hungary to join efforts with this organization.