Conference Proceedings at the Engineering Societies Library

Abstract

SUMMARY. Summarizes the importance of conference papers and proceedings of meetings to the Engineering Societies Library then describes types of papers of primary interest to that library. Also discusses the cataloging and lending techniques involving this sort of material. ROLE OF CONFERENCE LITERATURE It should be patently obvious to the librarian or other information specialist who has worked in any field of science andlor technology that conference proceedings represent the cutting edge of what's new. A bright young (maybe not so young) scientist or engineer discovers something, invents something, develops a new process, or improves an existing technique, and, of course, he or she wants the world to know that a genius has burst on the scene. What better way to announce the new discovery than to present a paper at a conference or technical meeting? I do not mean to sound flippant about this practice. It is indeed a valid, perhaps the most valid, way of airing newly acquired knowledge to one's confreres. Of course the necessary clearances from higher-ups in the employee's organization must be obtained before the information may be publicly disseminated, and sometimes patents must be procured prior to a disclosure. Neither of these, however, is the concern of the librarian