Session Number
19
Description
Secondary serial publications (abstracting and indexing services) are, by their nature, closely linked to the primary journal literature. They are affected by the publication pattern and processes of the primary serials, and developments in technology and communication facilities. In the 1960s and 1970s it was generally agreed that secondary services could be divided into disciplines oriented services and mission or project oriented services. This long established division is currently changing as secondary services have become increasingly flexible and more concerned than ever with user requirements.
Technological developments and the continuing economic constraints are exerting pressure on the abstracting and indexing service publishers. The convergence of increasingly sophisticated computer systems, improved communication facilities and a growing governmental and public awareness of information technology is having a substantial impact on secondary services. Changes in the use pattern of abstracting and indexing services is causing a migration of income from the printed product to the machine readable data base.
Services are available in a variety of formats, can be distributed in a number of physical forms and are being repackaged for reuse. This has led to the emphasis moving away from the traditional discipline/mission orientation. Services are becoming increasingly problem oriented. This changing role of secondary services will be discussed, using as a focal point, a recent U.S. report by Arthur D. Little. This discusses the development of secondary services in terms of three overlapping eras. These are discipline based services; project and mission based services and problem oriented services.
The Changing Role of Secondary Information Services
Secondary serial publications (abstracting and indexing services) are, by their nature, closely linked to the primary journal literature. They are affected by the publication pattern and processes of the primary serials, and developments in technology and communication facilities. In the 1960s and 1970s it was generally agreed that secondary services could be divided into disciplines oriented services and mission or project oriented services. This long established division is currently changing as secondary services have become increasingly flexible and more concerned than ever with user requirements.
Technological developments and the continuing economic constraints are exerting pressure on the abstracting and indexing service publishers. The convergence of increasingly sophisticated computer systems, improved communication facilities and a growing governmental and public awareness of information technology is having a substantial impact on secondary services. Changes in the use pattern of abstracting and indexing services is causing a migration of income from the printed product to the machine readable data base.
Services are available in a variety of formats, can be distributed in a number of physical forms and are being repackaged for reuse. This has led to the emphasis moving away from the traditional discipline/mission orientation. Services are becoming increasingly problem oriented. This changing role of secondary services will be discussed, using as a focal point, a recent U.S. report by Arthur D. Little. This discusses the development of secondary services in terms of three overlapping eras. These are discipline based services; project and mission based services and problem oriented services.