Some possibilities of further development of technical information

Abstract

The single phases of technical information are considered in the paper as details of a process of production. As to this process a diagram is being worked out by the author. The spiritual value published in books and periodicals is considered as the raw material involved in the process, the single elements of library and documentation work as well as the treatment of the literary material by single individuals (i. e. readers) are looked upon as details of processing. Utilization of technical literature in production and generally in economic life figures as the endproduct of the process. Scientific literary work is included as part of the endproduct though it is partly playing the role of recirculated material within the production cycle. In the course or the various phases of processing certain unfruitful items come forward, thus especially unsold publications, "dead" material of libraries, useless though perused special literature and finally unutillzed professional knowledge. Out of this diagram author originates certain suggestions in order to entance the economy of this production process. Special emphasis is laid upon the necessity of selecting the material dealt with in library and docuntentation work (selective documentation). Besides attention is drawn upon the importance of the follow up work of the lending department after a publication is being lent by the library to a reader. Finally the possibilities of reducing various unfruitful items are dealt with.