TOWARDS AUTOMATED MULTI‐DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION RETRIEVAL

The evolutionary process leading to a computerized search facility for giving a current awareness service from a number of magnetic tape services is described. The background for the initiation of the service was a general consensus articulated in a NORDFORSK survey of the reading habits of Scandinavian scientists and engineers, that the individual had the feeling of being flooded with literature. Thus, there was an urgent need for a fast and selective documentation service. One solution to this problem has been to construct and start up a SDI‐service. In order to solve the individual's need for a comprehensive service a variety of data bases are utilized. His interest profile can be up‐dated at any time. The service must handle the bulk of information within a reasonable budget. As a result of the introduction of the SDI‐service thousands of subscribers both in universities and in industry receive printouts relating to their personal interest profiles. Though the service has proved to be a valuable tool both in fundamental research for development work and for current awareness in many fields, the burden put on the libraries for providing photocopies has proved to be a severe obstacle for further development of the service.