Opportunities for Chemists in Literature Service Work' LURA SHORB and LEWIS W. BECK Hercules Powder Company, Wilrnington, Delaware HEN one thinks of a chemist, the mental image usually engendered is that of a man surrounded by test tubes and flasks. Less often there may be a woman in the picture. But one seldom thinks of either a man or a woman surrounded by books as being a chemist. Such persons are relatively few in number, yet the work they do is important in industrial research. Before the war, women chemists almost had a monopoly on this type of work. At present, due to the general shortage of workers, women chemists are being eagerly sought for many laboratory jobs. But it is probably safe to predict that after the war this demand will diminish and the type of job in industry that women had before the war will be the chief outlet foi their talents and experience. Also more men than the present few may be attracted to chemical desk work. It is therefore well to review these activities and to indicate some of the opportunities and responsibilities they present. Most of these activities are centered in the technical library which every research organization needs. They include: (1) reference work, (2) abstracting and indexing, and (3) bibliographical work. Sometimes (4) patent searching, (5) translating, and (6) editing and writing are under the auspices of the technical library, and sometimes they are done by members of other units of a company. 1. Reference Work. A librarian has been facetiously defined as a person who needs a profound knowledge of what is on the cover of a book. But a reference librarim is quite a different person, one who knows how to find answers to questions by knowing the contents of books. The question in a chemical library may concern a property of one substance, such as the solubility of nitroglycerin in water a t a given temperature, or i t may be what plasticizers are compatible with a new resin. But in the life of a reference librarian there are also lighter questions, as that of an earnest Ph.D. who hurried up to the desk and asked the young woman there, "What did I come in here for?" The first essential qualification for successful reference work is to know everything about the collection,
Presented before the Division of Chemical Education of the American Chemical society, 107th ,,,==ting, cieveland, obio, April 4. 1944.
what is in it, and how to use it. This involves considerable knowledge of chemical nomenclature, the peculiar arrangements of indexes of chemical compounds and properties, and some knowledge of other languages, If the collection includes not only the usual library tools of published material, but also technical correspondence, patents, research reports, and trade catalogs, the knowledge and versatility needed are multiplied. The reference librarian must also know what is in neighboring libraries and how to bring it to her own clientele. One of the more important and difficult tasks of the reference librarian is the evaluation of new books in comparison with those already available. Though in many companies library committees of technical personnel are in part responsible for choices, a broad knowledge of chemical literature is needed in order that the librarian can make intelligent proposals. This knowledge, as well as skill in indexing and filing, is also needed for cataloging the book when it arrives. For reference work, bachelor's degrees in both chemistry and in library science are desirable. If a person with both degrees is unavailable, one trained in chemistry is preferable to one trained only in library science, since it is possible to pick up the rudiments of library work from contacts, experience, and in-service training, but there is no time to learn chemistry on the job. There is the possibility, too, of employing an assistant with either library or chemical training in case the department head lacks knowledge in either field. 2. Abstracting and Indexing. A central file of information of interest to the research staff of a company is needed in order to make it available in the planning and interpretation of new research, and to prevent duplication of experiments. The ordinary abstract journals do not suffice, since much of the needed information is in confidential company reports and letters. At the Hercules Experiment Station, for example, this file, known as the "Central Index," consists of subject and author cards containing abstracts of company reports, letters transmitting technical information, patents, and translations, and microfilms of journal articles. Related material is kept together under carefully chosen subject headings in conformity
with best technical usage, and numerous cross references are inserted to help the user find his way about in the large file. Thus if a chemist sought information on lacquers, be would find general material a t the heading "Lacquer" and cross references to "Nitrocellulose Lacquer" and "Ethylcellulose Lacquer" which are of sufficient interest to warrant separate headings; or if he wanted information on decolorizing, purifying, or refining rosin, he would find it a t "Rosin-Purification." The format of the index and the indexing policies are described in two mimeographed books which are useful not only to the indexers but also to those who use the index. Moreover, personal instruction in its use is given to all new chemists. The chemists who prepare the informational abstracts and index entries are called technical abstractors. Their job is to read, digest, and index a wide variety and great volume of technical writing on a large number of subjects. A master's degree or its equivalent in chemistry is desirable for this work, as only four years of chemistrv are not sufficient backmound from which to evaluate the literature; also the initial training period is two or three times longer for those with only four years of chemistry. But by dividing up the work so as to give each abstractor a field suitable to his or her training, place can be found for some without advanced training. Of equal importance with knowledge of chemistry is ability to grasp important points, to separate them from nonessentials, to express them clearly, and to treat them in a uniform way so that the index will be self-consistent. Some of this they can learn by trying, but no one lacking what may be called (for want of a.better term) a "sense of indexing" can ever become really good a t this job. 3. Bibliographic Work. Though all the staff of a technical library and its facilities are devoted to aiding the chemist in his laboratory work, some of the most direct service is done by bibliographers and literature searchers who work on requests from the laboratory men. They prepare bibliographies, annotated bibliographies with abstracts and comments, literature surveys, and collections of informative abstracts on current publications. Bibliographies with brief abstracts of the articles cited leave a great deal of reading to be done by the chemist for whom they are made. Nevertheless, they represent work for which most chemists have neither time nor inclination. Since a bibliography may be of use to others besides the person making the request, i t is better to have it typed, bound, filed, and indexed so that others can use it, instead of merely sending the cards to the person requesting the work. A literature survey is something more than a "rehash" of what has been published, somethingmorethana time-saver for a chemist who cannot and should not spend a major portion of his time in the library. I t is a critical selection and evaluation of the literawe, including company research reports, organized and reported in such a way as to be most directly contribqtory to the problem a t hand. Many articles which have no
apparent relevance to a subject and which would not be included in a bibliography must be judged and related to the problem because of the indirect light they throw on it. Obviously a real insight into chemical theory, and not just a knowledge of books, is needed for this kind of work. A literature survey is sometimes requested before the initiation of research work, so as to provide a background against which laboratory work can be planned. Often, however, the literature is searched simultaneously with the laboratory work, and from week to week the library worker and laboratory worker keep in step, each providing queries, suggestions, and interpretations to the other. Close contact is maintained through frequent conferences, laboratory reports which come to the library, and letters from the library to the laboratory. The library research worker thus contributes both from the standpoint of planning research and of ori~inatingpatentable ideas. The final and permanent form inwhijl the literature survey is preserved often represents a valuable contribution to scientific knowledze. -. and as such i t may be suitable for publication. t A phase of bibliographical work which may also be done by members of this group sometimes in conjunction with the technical abstractors is keeping the st& informed. of new publications. Libraries vary in their ways of doing this; periodicals may be circulated or bulletins and memoranda sent out calling attention to articles of interest. As ours is a research reference library, a semimonthly abstract bulletin sent to all divisions of the company has proven most satisfactory. Bibliographic work, like laboratory work, is diversified and affords openings for persons with various educational backgrounds. It ranges from literature research where a graduate degree in chemistry or its equivalent in experience or specialized training-on-thejob is essential, to simple literature searches which can be done by those who have only a bachelor's degree. There are, however, certain intellectual traits which all must have who do this work. These are chiefly a keen theoretical interest, a strong liking for the printed page, proficiency in correlating facts, and a knack for formulating an over-all view of the relevant information. 4. Patent Searching. Patent searching is done in a manner dependent on the objective. It may be relatively simple or quite complex. It is usually made for one or more of the following purposes: (1) to locate technical information, (2) to develop state of art prior to carrying out research-Infonation Search, (3) to develop state of art prior to filing a patent applicationNovdiy Search, (4) to determine whether infringement is involved in any proposed operation-Infringement Search, ( 5 ) to locate anticipation which would affect the validity of an infringed patent-Validity Search. These searches may be made in the company library where files of the O&ciaZ Gazette of the U. S. Pat& Ofice and various chemical abstract journals are available, in the classified patent files of the United States Patent Office, or in one of the larger public libraries, depending on the nature and extent of the search.
In most companies patent searches are functions of a patent department. Nevertheless, patent literature is of such importance to the chemical industry that all those doing literature service work should understand the basic principles of this special type of publication. Patent searchers must have the same thorough knowledge of chemistry as others who read, understand, abstract, and evaluate technical literature. They need to have a reading knowledge of German and French and to have or acquire a background in patents and patent law. Usually the patent training has to be given on the job as the supply of chemical patent attorneys is limited. Persons with advanced degrees are sought for this work because of their broader knowledge of chemistry and better training in the use of chemical literature. 5. Translating. Until the millennium arrives when all scientific literature is published in Basic English or some other international language, or when all chemists can read all languages, translations will have to be made. Translating alone or in conjunction with bibliographic work is open to persons with a knowledge of chemistry, German, and French and with sufficientinterest in and love for languages to be willing to learn other European languages, especially Russian. For this important work, a native American is usnally preferred to a European, for to translate into English requires an intimate feeling for English which many Europeans who come to this country after they are grown do not have, even though they "know" English. 6. Editing and Writing. In a large company there are many opportunities for a person who is talented in writing, especially if he also has technical training in the fields of the company's interest. A technical library, being a clearing house for information, affords frequent occasions for writing manuals and descriptive bulletins. For example, in Hercules Experiment Station Library, one member of the staff has prepared a manual on the writing of research reports, containing instructions for uniform reporting of results; another has written a descriptive manual on the organization, rules and regulations, and facilities of the Experiment Station. Still another edits technical articles by research chemists before they are submitted for publication. Other types of writing and editorial work can, for obvious reasons, be most suitably done in other offices, and offer many openings to people with proper qualifications. "Ghost writing" for busy executives, writing technical advertising, and editorial work for house organs that publish technical information are a few of the ways technical writers can be of value. It is very diEcult to say exactly what education and training are needed for these jobs. Certainly a most important part of the training comes from day-to-day contact with executives and a kind of "osmosis" of company policies. The persons who do technical writing need a good background in chemistry, although in general their work will be reviewed from a technical
standpoint by the highly trained chemists who have more intimate knowledge of the specific subjects dealt with. A broad knowledge of and experience in other fields of learning is needed, as well as ability to write intelligibly and attractively. This brief description of nonlaboratory jobs in cbemistry leaves four important questions largely unanswered. They are: Where do we get the people for the job? How do we choose them? How do we train them? What is their future? Where do we get the people for the jobs? The answer is: any college in this country or Canada which gives a thorough course in chemistry. Contacts are made with them by "scouts" or personnel men who visit the schools and interview the students. Sometimes college placement bureaus, technical society employment services (such as those of the American Chemical Society and the Special Libraries Association), classified advertisements in technical journals, and more or less casual contacts also supply names worth following up. How do we choose them? In choosing a person for any job, knowledge and personality are the main factors to be considered. In choosing chemists for library or other desk jobs, knowledge is judged by college records and references from teachers and employers; for older graduates, experience weighs heavily in any decision. In reviewing the different jobs, the need for work represented by advanced degrees has been repeatedly stressed. One reason is that the jobs reviewed are to a large extent filled by women, and women chemists with an A.B. degree generally have not had as much training as men with the same degree. Neither men nor women have had much experience with chemical literature and we have yet to meet a young graduate, be he bachelor or doctor, who is familiar with patents. The deficiencies in education tend to disappear with more advanced training, but a t the outset women chemists in library work often have advantages that do much to counterbalance theu deficiency in technical training. They generally have a broader cultural background and a better knowledge of English composition than the men, which often gives them superiority in jobs like abstracting, translating, editing, writing, and preparing bibliographies. Only if the educational background is adequate need the personal qualifications be considered. Among the essential personal qualifications are: persistence to keep searching, imagination to grasp the significance of questions and to think up new sources, appreciation for order and system, and cooperativeness with fellow-workers. Of course a sense of humor is a help in all jobs. Naturally, differentpersonal traits will be neened for differentjobs. The reference librarians and others who rub elbows daily with many persons must like people and have a pleasant manner, while the abstractor, bibliographer, translator, and writer may be of an introvert make-up without this adversely affecting his work. One way of "choosing" which should be avoided does not really involve a choice a t all: it is the well-known process of "dumping." All too often people who have
not been satisfactory in the laboratory are transferred industry-conscious. When a person transfers from the to some other line of work, and technical libraries have laboratory to a desk job, he must be "sold" on it, beprobably received more than their share of misfits. To cause there may often be a feeliig that this work is of be sure this may work to the benefit of all concerned. less importance. But before accepting such a person for these jobs, the What is their future? These library and desk jobs reasons for the shift should be carefully weighed; de- are necessary for the successful accomplishment of spite the old saw, one should always look a gift horse laboratory work and thus for success in the research of in the mouth. a company. The importance of choosing well-trained How do we train them? Trainmg on the job should and capable persons to fill them cannot be stressed too begin immediately. Besides the regular instruction much. Once yon have capable desk chemists, they manuals given to all new employees, special manuals must follow the same route to success as laboratory directly related to a desk chemist's particular line of chemists: they must give themselves wholeheartedly work should be given. For those who are to work in to the jobs. They must become proficient, learn all there the library, manuals on indexing, terminology, report is to know about the job and the company products, writing, and company products should be particularly processes, and interests. It means extra-working-hour emphasized. A dual training program is instituted for thinking for which they are not paid overtime. When them, so that they learn company products and related they do this their salary and advancement in the commaterials and also get intensive instruction in using pany should equal those expending the same effort in chemical literature, abstracting, and indexing. The the laboratory. I t is fortunate that thisisgenerally the new worker learns these both by study and by being case in the &emical industry. The opportunities for advancement are unlimited, for apprenticed to an experienced person. Laboratory experience within the company is also desirable, a t least chemical companies are becoming increasingly conscious for a short time, but this is generally difficult to ar- of the importance of these literature service jobs as an range. It is possible, however, to bring the laboratory aid in research, patent work, and technical advertising. These professions offer opportunities for individual close to the library and to the person doing any kind of desk or book work by taking him to see all the opera- growth too. In doing them 2 person solidifies his tions of the laboratories. The guide should be an older knowledge of chemistry and learns more. They give employee with an over-all picture of what is going on. opportunities to be of service--an outlet in which Later, when the new employee undertakes a specific many persons, particularly women, find much satisfacjob and needs to know more about a specific product or tion. They even offer an opportunity to teach, for process, he may make a special visit to the laborato~y the number of young college women who come, stay a or pilot plant concerned. Thus close cooperation be- year or two, marry, and leave always insures a steady stream of fresh students. tween library and laboratory is established. The opportunities for independent action are great. Training in the use of published chemical literature varies with the background of the employee. If it be- Some of these jobs are new for many companies, and gins from scratch, Chemical Abstracts comes first. This a person who makes good in one of them can usually should be followed by a detailed description and evalua- map out his own program, direct his own work, discover tion of the reference books and journals in the collection, jobs that need to be done, and thus make a place for with special reference to peculiarities in indexes and himself. And there is room a t the top for those who In this training, the books on the use of want administrative positions. Literature service is chemical literature by Crane and P a t t e r s ~ nM , ~e l l ~ n , ~one of the few fields in the chemical industry where women may attain such positions. The barriers which and Soule' are to be recommended. Training is needed not only in these technical diiec- prevent them from entering or advancing in sales and tions, but i t is also necessary in changing one's orienta- technical service work and plant operations are absent tion to fit the requirements of these jobs. If one be- here. Thus, promising futures exist for those who have the gins this kind of work immediately upon graduation, the change from the relative leisure and independence of proper qualifications and who are willing to exert themuniversity life to the constant pressure and teamwork of selves to become experts in these fields and thus indisindustry is often difficult, and the administrator must pensible to their company. b i g n early to make his workers, especially the women, BIBLIOGRAPHY "The Literature of Chemistry," 9 CRANBAND PATTERSON, EGLOPF. ALEXANDER. AND VAN ARSDELL, "Problems of the John Wiley and Sons, Inc.. New York. 1927. 8 MBLLON. "Chemical Publications: Their Nature and Use," scientific literature survey." J. CEEX.Eonc., 20, 393-8, 587-92 (1943). 2nd e d . ~ M c ~ r a w - Book ~ i l l Company, Inc.. New York. 1940. 4 SOULE. "Library Guide for the Chemist." McGraw-Hill PRICE."Patent searching, with special reference to chemical
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Book Company, Inc., New York, 1938.
patents." Spacial Libraries. 31, 118-28 (1940).
