Introductorv Remarks' ROSS C . CIBELLA Hall Laboratories, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvnnin
S.
ERVICE is such an intangible term that it would be d~fficultto define it; it is even more difficult to measure it in dollars and cents. However, technical libraries and their services have become such an important part of industrial organizations that the number is ever on the increase. The present membership of the Science-Technology Group of the Special Libraries Association is 1139. With an average of I'/z librarians per library we can count on about 800 technical libraries in the membership of this group alone. Such technical libraries embrace manufacturing chemists, pharmaceutical houses, engineering firms, technical associations, technical departments of public libraries, technical college libraries, and many other types too numerous to mention here. Each of these libraries is equipped to render the kind of service which best fits the organization. Naturally, the type of service will vary with each library, but the primary aim of each is to provide the technical staff with the latest information in the subject field and to collect the most useful of literature. Methods of disseminating this information will be discussed later. What is technical library service and how does i t dier from the service in a public or general library? In the public library the usual procedure is to obtain references on a number of varied subjects. Although there may be technical men on the library staff, each cannot hope to become a specialist in all the fields of technology, but must choose one or two fields. Since the public library is for the use of the community as a whole, individual service can be given only when time permits. These public institutions are doing a wonderful job, and many a special librarian leans heavily on the resources of the public library. In a special library, and particularly in the technical library, the librarian is usually a technically trained person, with a Library Science degree or its equivalent in practical work. The subject field of the firm or laboratory then becomes his specialty. The alert librarian will make an intensive effort to study the new subject matter, whether i t be paints and varnishes, water
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Presented before the Division of Chemical Education of the American Chemical Society, 107th meeting, Cleveland, Ohio, April 4, 1944.
chemistry, food chemistry, metallurgy, or some other specialized technical field. The type of service he then gives is personalized in that he can understand the subject matter and ferret out the specific information desired with the least amount of explanation. In many cases the result of a search can be summarized by this specialist in one or two pages, saving valuable time for the laboratory staff. Confidential material can be turned over to the technical librarian knowing that i t will be properly indexed and filed and that i t will remain confidential. It must be remembered that first and foremost he is a member of the technical st& and is governed by the same code of ethics as the chemists and engineers; second, as a librarian he is further sworn to secrecy on many items which sometimes do not even come to the attention of the Research Director. The technical librarian can also render valuable service in finding difficult-to-locate papers or pamphlets. He can also arrange for translation of important papers and patents. He is aware of the projects, both technical and commercial in nature, so that he can correlate the information in the library and see that the proper individual is notified of new developments. In short, as the eyes and ears of the firm or organization, he is ever alert to the interests of his employer. In order to obtain such service one should employ a technical librarian and not a custodian of books. Training will be discussed later, but what I am referring to is the incentive for the specialist to continue giving the best possible service. So often we see such an advertisement as the following: C l z e k l , m'th library training. Must tranJIate F r m h and German, Must be able to type and organize new library. Msst be familiar vilk patent sources. Write to Box xzxzz.
Upon further inquiry we find that the applicant is offered $100 or $125 per month. Chemists graduating from college are usually started a t $150; here the chemist has specialized beyond the college graduate and is asked to assume a responsible position at a salary lower than the laboratory assistant. At that price, one usually gets a custodian of books, or someone who uses this position as a stepping stone. Therefore, when you 'peak of in a library remember that "you get what you pay for."
