The Provision of Information and Library Services to Science and Industry by National Libraries: With Special Reference to the British Library

Abstract

The role of national libraries has been discussed widely over the past three decades and a number of core functions have been identified. Most national libraries have been developed with a primary aim of acting as the steward of the national archive. Traditionally there has been a strong bias towards the humanities and social sciences, with services to the scientific and industrial communities delegated to specific institutions separate from the national library. The British Library is unique in dividing its resources approximately equally between humanities and social sciences and science and technology. The units making up its Science, Technology and Industry division (which include the Document Supply Centre, the Science Reference and Information Service and the National Bibliographic Service) provide a wide range of services which are targeted specifically at the scientific and commercial sectors. Electronic publishing, as it develops, will affect the role of national libraries in collection development, document supply and information services.