Publication of Scientific Literature

Abstract

THE projects for scientific publication and bibliography (cf. NATURE, 133, 641; 1934) have been implemented by a grant of 15,000 dollars from Chemical Foundation. As a result, a new Documentation Division of Science Service has been initiated in furtherance of activities in this field which were considered at a conference called by Science Service on July 11 and July 29. The immediate objectives being attempted under the grant are the development of camera, projection pointer, reading machine for microphotographs and other means for photographic reproduction, and the establishment of a project for the photographic publication of papers which at present cannot b& published promptly or in full. This undertaking will be carried out with the co-operation of existing scientific journals and societies. The plans of the new division are outlined in a paper read by Mr. Watson Davis, director of Science Service, before the thirteenth Conference of the Institut International de Documentation at Copenhagen, September 9-14. It is considered that the scheme for the publication of scientific papers by microphotographic or similar methods should be self-supporting from the start. Possibilities of increasing the availability of existing literature by such methods are to be explored and the broad problem of scientific bibliography is also to be studied.