80 years of the International Federation for Documentation (FID)

Abstract

The FID is celebrating its 80tn Anniversary this year. The President of the FID presents a historical survey on these years and an outlook for the future.
The IIB (Institut International de Bibliographie = International Institute for Bibliography) was founded in 1895 by Paul OTLET and Henri LA FONTAINE, two outstanding and enthusiastic specialists who devoted their life and fortune to the sake of documentation. The primary importance of their activity lies - besides the idea and partial development of the RBU (Répertoire Bibliographique Universel) - in the creation of the Universal Decimal Classification and the foundation of modern documentation and information.
The two World Wars set back the activities of the FID. The Institute changed residence several times, its name also changed till it gained its present name: FID (Fédération Internationale de Documentation - International Fédération for Documentation). Its tasks were modified during the years, especially after the establishment of other international organizations, e.g. the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), the International Council on Archives (ICA) and others. The aim of the FID is to promote - through international co-operation - the development of scientific information in view of its organizational, technical and methodical problema. Some of the subject fields dealt with are: education and training of information specialists; special needs of developing countries; problems of mechanization, linguistics and terminology etc.
FID is carrying out its programme through a world-wide decentral-ized organization with national members, regionál commissions and committees.