Domsa Károlyné, Fekete Gézáné, Kovács Mária (szerk.): Gondolatok a könyvtárban / Thoughts in the Library (A MTAK közleményei 30. Budapest, 1992)

KÖNYVTÁR ÉS KORSZERŰSÉG – LIBRARY AND MODERNITY

International cooperation in social science information and documentation Jean Meyriat International Committee for Social Science Information and Documentation, Paris In many countries, somé people dedicate themselves to foster international cooperation in the fíeld of information and documentation for the social sciences. They are convinced their endeavours are useful, although it may be argued that the results obtained are not worth the efforts. This paper will deal with the goals these people are aiming at, the difficulties they are confronted with, the paths that nonetheless are open to them. The goals In any fíeld, actors may cooperate at different levels, depending on the weight given to common activities in comparison with activities which remain proper. The first step is to make partners aware of what one is doing, of the data he makes use of and of the results he attains. Beyond this mutual awareness is the possibility of an exchange, either of intellectual or of physical goods. Exchange is a process which generates benefit for both partners. If the relationship is asymmetrical, giving most benefit to one of the partners, exchange is replaced by help or assistance. Help may take the form of giving ideas or advice as well as giving money or materials. Cooperation may alsó go as far as working together in order to reach common goals. 188 „ Thoughts in the library "