Special library groups in the branches of industry

Abstract

A great number of technical libraries were established during the 1st Five Year Plan. They began to cooperate and group themselves around the Hungarian Central Technical Library (OMK) in 1954-1956. Then the formation of the network of technical libraries was instituted by a decree in 1956, which circumscibes the tasks of the centre, too. An order of the Ministry of Culture (103/1958) laid down the guiding principles for the activity of sub-centres, established in the meantime. Subsequent experiences, however, demonstrated that certain problems remained which could not be solved either by the centre or by the sub-centres. Furthermore new tasks presented themselves demanding decentralized pattern.
For filling in the gaps of this missing organizational chainloop various initiatives were born mainly under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Metallurgy and Machine Industry (e.g. responsibles for the libraries under the sectional directorates of industry, network of special library supervisors etc.). Later on organized visits in order to exchange working methods were introduced, substituting the former discussions of similar libraries. In the same time - first in the food and light industries - fulfilling of existing forms with definite programs were installed.
In 1960 there were seven newly formed central libraries functioning, pertinent to the respective sections of industrial branches.
The groups of special librarians under these smaller centres needed a long-range program in which the following tasks must be included: coordination of acquisitions, publication of common accession lists, common ordering translations, inter-library loans etc.
The rules of the published program are not compulsory but they constitute proposals for local application.