Rózsa, George: Some Considerations of the Role of Scientific Libraries in the Age of Scientific and Technical Revolution. An Essay and Approach to the Problem (A MTAK kiadványai 50. Budapest, 1970)

I. OWING TO ITS SCIENTIFIC AND ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE, THE SCIENTIFIC LIBRARY FORMS A PARTICULAR FIELD OF RESEARCH IN ITSELF Theory is nourished by practice, and generalizes the practical experiences. At the same time, as science shows, a good theory is ultimately the best practice. Starting from certain practical examples, which are meant to serve the purpose of this study only, let us now consider some data on the work of scientific libraries and examine what real social needs they are expected to meet ; to what extent they have succeeded in meeting these needs; on what basis they are developing. Only a full knowledge of these problems can justify theoretical considerations, however hypothetical. As a case study, let us take the example of Hungary, a country with a comparatively well-developed cultural and library system, and with minor and limited economic resources and possibilities. (Data referred to in the study show the situation a few years ago but the recentness of data does not count much since they are only cited as examples.)

1 Г11 (lie late sixties, 1000 scientific and special libraries were operating in Hungary (of which, some 1100 were in the capital), holding 27 million library units with an average yearly circulation of 8 to 10 millions. (By way of comparison: in 1963 a total of 19 000 libraries were active in Hungary, of which some 10 000 belonged to the public library system, and 7000 to the school library system. From our particular viewpoint only a fragment of this number may be taken into consideration, above all some of the county libraries which have made a certain gradual progress.) In 1963, over 76 million forints were spent on acquisitions in scientific and special libraries. According to 1964 figures, imported material amounted to an equivalent of almost 26 million forints. The value of a sizeable amount of foreign literature, especially periodicals and research reports, received "on a forint basis" (i.e. without spending foreign currencies), should also be added to this sum. Listing 380 000 items, over 2000 1 MM Közművelődési Főosztály. Jelentés a tudományos szakkönyvtári szakfelügyeletről. Gépirat. 9 p. (Ministry of Education. Dept. of Public Education. Report on the scientific and special libraries. March, 1965.); Tudományos és szakkönyvtárak 1963. (Statistics on scientific and special libraries.) Budapest, 1964, K. Statisztikai Hivatal, pp. 65.; Statisztikai tájékoztató 1964. Népművelés. Tudományos és szakkönyvtárak 1964. évi adatai. MM. Tervfőosztály statisztikai osztálya. 1965. Soksz. (Statistical Bulletin. 1964. Adult education. Scientific and special libraries. Figures for 1964.); A tudományos kutatás helyzete és fejlődése. Statisztikai Időszaki Közlemények, vol. 72. 1965/6. pp. 71. (The state and development of scientific research.); Mérnökök, technikusok, egyéb felsőés középfokú végzettségű szakemberek foglalkoztatása. Statisztikai Időszaki Közlemények, vol. 64. 1964/6. pp. 193. (Employment of engineers, technicians and other high and middle-grade specialists.); A Magyar Tudományos Akadémia tizenöt éve (1949 - 1964). Melléklet az MTA Elnökségi beszámolójához, a CXXV. közgyűlésén. Budapest, 1965. pp. 213. (Fifteen years of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Supplement to the report of the Presidium submitted to the 125th General Assembly.)