Section of Science and Technology Libraries

Annual Report September 1997-August 1998

1. Section

The Science and Technology Libraries Section was established in 1978 and just concluded its 20th year as an IFLA unit.

2. Scope Statement (from the Medium Term Programme 1997-2001)

The Section brings together special libraries collecting materials in, and offering access to, information about the physical sciences and technology to users in science and technology departments of national libraries, university and polytechnic libraries, public libraries and corporate and government research libraries. A major focus of the Section will be on computer networks and digital information for professional and scholarly communication. The Section collaborates with various national and international science and technology library associations.

3. Section Membership

The Section listed 121 members as of 1 August 1998. The Standing Committee had fifteen regular members, two corresponding members and three special advisors. Committee members came from eleven countries.

4. Officers and Information Coordinator

Chair and Treasurer

3026 Shapiro Science Library
University of Michigan 48109-1185
USA
Phone: (1) 734/936-3079
Fax: (1) 734/763-9813

pyocum@umich.edu

Secretary
Mr. David J. Price (1995-1999)

Deputy Keeper of Scientific Books
Radcliffe Science Library
Oxford University (UK)
Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PQ
UK
Phone: (44) 1865-272803
Fax: (44) 1865-272821

djp@rsl.ox.ac.uk

On an experimental basis the position of Information Coordinator was filled by Nancy Anderson (USA). Following the lead of other sections in the Division the duties were folded into those of the secretary effective Sept. 1, 1998.

5. Meetings

The Standing Committee met twice in Amsterdam:

Saturday 15 August 11:00-13:50, Novotel Hotel (13 attendees including 12 SC members)
Friday 21 August 10:00 - 11:50, RAI (12 attendees including 11 SC members)

Minutes are forthcoming and reflect full agendas for both meetings. SC members noted that present meeting time is inadequate to cover all topics needing attention. Rearranging the schedule (and at the same time reducing the conference by one day) may be in order. Increased use of the listserv to dispatch non-critical business may also help.

6. Projects

The Manual of International Cooperation for Sci-Tech Libraries, a project undertaken by Martin Kesselman (USA) neared completion by late Summer 1998. The result is a Webpage entitled Cooperative International Partnerships for Sci-Tech Libraries. It can be viewed at http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~martyk/. A link from IFLANet to the site is being requested. The project was funded for $575 (US). Total costs were $584.

Needs Assessment of Sci-Tech Libraries in Developing Countries, (S2.4-1/98 CB) a project proposed by Nancy Anderson with assistance from Martin Kesselman, is currently being reorganized.

7. Publications

The Section produced IFLA Section of Science and Technology Libraries Newsletter, Fall 1997, 6 pp. and distributed copies to all Section members. The issue was also mounted on IFLANet, a "first" for the Section. It is clear from increased email to committee officers and members that the Section's presence on IFLANet is a positive development. We hope to contribute more documents to IFLANet as they are produced.

The Section maintains a listserv (stl-sc@maillist.ox.ac.uk) at Oxford University (UK) which is efficiently operated and judiciously used. Although it is open to anyone only 22 people had joined by late Autumn 1997. Most were SC members. The most common use has been for SC business where the listserv has established its worth. Discussion about Section programming, meeting agendas etc. and distribution of announcements have all gone forward faster and more smoothly with the listserv.

8. Conference Programmes

A. Open Session

"Changing the Culture of Libraries: The Impact of Electronics"

Christine Baldwin, Project Manager, SuperJournal. "Electronic Journal Publishing: Meeting User Needs."
Abstract: SuperJournal is a research collaboration between publishers and libraries in the UK focusing on the factors that will make electronic journals successful. The project research indicates that readers and authors want electronic access to journals, and they view the key benefits as time savings, convenience, wider circulation, and faster publication times. Ideally they want integrated services within a discipline offering a searchable database, a wide range of full text journals, and seamless linking among journals.This paper reviews the initiatives publishers are taking to develop electronic journals and integrated services, and suggests some of the emerging issues for librarians.
Text: Available in English, French and German on IFLANet
Jérome Kalfon, Directeur de la Bibliothèque Universitaire René Descartes - Paris V, "Les Non Spécialistes a la Recherche d'Information Spécialisée dans le Domaine de la Sant." ("Health specialised information for non-specialists")
Abstract: None
Text: None
Soren Find, Head of the Department, M. L. & I. Sc., Information Services, Technical Knowledge Center & Library of Denmark, DTV, "Changing the Culture - - Job Design, Work Processes and Qualifications in the Hybrid Library."
Abstract: This paper focuses on the role of the staff in the process where the library is changing from the traditional paper-based library towards the hybrid library. The experiences at the Technical Knowledge Center & Library of Denmark are described, especially in developing and implementing services based on electronic information. Being a partner in developing new teaching and learning environments requires that a whole new set of qualifications has to be available inside the library.
Text: Available in English, French and German on IFLANet.; Illness prevented François Dupuigrenet Desroussilles, directeur de l'ENSSIB (Ecole nationale supèrieure des sciences de l'information et des bibliothèques) from speaking on "La Place du Document Electronique dans la Formation des Bibliothècaires Français." ("Electronic documents in the teaching of librarianship: The French case.")
Abstract: None
Text: None
Ysabel Bertolucci (USA) served as reactor, offering observations and summaries of the presentations. The program was moderated by Philippe Raccah (France) and Patricia Yocum (USA). All three also planned the program. Attendance was estimated at 50+ people. In a "first" for the Section, an effort was made to get audience feedback on the program. Unfortunately only three evaluation forms (sample attached) were returned directly to section officers. This number is too small to be meaningful although the individual comments will be considered in planning future sessions. An attempt at evaluation/ feedback will again be made in Bangkok. In a related effort the request of session organizers for attendees to "sign-in" was very successful. The list produced is long, includes email addresses, and, most importantly, provides an idea of who attends Sci-Tech sessions.

B. Workshop
The Section workshop this year, planned by Marianne Nordlander (Sweden), was a study tour to the Technical University Delft on Thursday 20 August 1998, 10:00 - 15:00. Participants met at Central Station in Amsterdam and traveled by train to Delft where a bus, kindly furnished by the library, met and transferred us to the notable new library building. After coffee the group of 37 attendees heard presentations by Leo Waaijers, Library Director, and the library staff concerning the building creation process, the library program, the document fulfillment service, software development and other recent efforts. Participants also enjoyed tours of the library and a relaxing lunch as guests of the library. Following the workshop the bus returned us to the center of Delft where many attendees chose to explore the historic city before returning to Amsterdam.

As in Copenhagen this study tour proved very instructive and enjoyable. In addition to all that we learned, participants had expanded opportunity to network with other sci-tech librarians, a benefit for which we are always eager. Because transportation costs were an individual responsibility virtually all participants were from developed nations whereas the universal preference in the Standing Committee is to include sci-tech librarians from developing regions as well. Funding such involvement will be a topic for Standing Committee discussion in the coming year.

C. Programme Planning - Bangkok
Donna McCool (USA) is leading the planning for the Section's Open Session in Bangkok. The session will examine measures taken by libraries in both the developed and developing regions to address the high cost of STM journals. Three - four speakers are being invited to address the topic.

Helga Schwarz (Germany) is planning the Section Workshop which again will feature a study tour, this time to a science/technology library in Bangkok. Planning includes coordinating with the User Instruction Roundtable for possible co-sponsorship.

D. Programme Planning - Jerusalem
A few ideas have been introduced but no substantive progress yet made.

9. Relationships with Other Bodies

Marianne Nordlander (Sweden) as the Sci-Tech Standing Committee liaison to IATUL reported on the recent conference in South Africa. All IATUL publishing is now electronic. The group is also very interested in distance education, including one effort which involves four European cities. IATUL meets next year in Chania (Crete), Greece.

Although not an official relationship the Section continues its interest in developments at ICSU (the International Council of Scientific Unions). David Price distributed a report on the ICSU Press Workshop, "Economics, real costs and benefits of electronic publishing in science -- a technical study", held at Oxford University 31 March - 2 April 1998. Proceedings are available at http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/icsu/index.html.

Report prepared by Patricia B. Yocum

October 10, 1998

Latest Revision: May 20, 1999