Maizell, Robert E.

College and Research Libraries

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International Conference for Standards on a Common Language for Machine Searching Translation

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International Conference for Standards on a Common Language for Machine Searching and Translation By R O B E R T E. MAIZELL R I ^HE CONFERENCE, sponsored jointly by Western Reserve University and the Rand Development Corporation, was held in Cleveland, September 7-12, 1959. T h e seven-day meeting brought together leading information processing systems specialists and designers from all over the world. Beside the seventy-five people from ten countries who submitted pa-pers, more than one hundred and fifty observers attended. Incidentally, and perhaps unfortu-nately, there were very few librarians present. T h e principal purpose for holding the meeting was the lack of interconverti-bility of the various information re-trieval and mechanical translation sys-tems. At present, there is such a variety of equipment, coding systems, and pro-grams that none of the investigators can profit as much as would be expected by the work of the others. The hope was that the conference would develop a basis for standards for a common lan-guage in both information retrieval and mechanical translation systems. At the same time, it provided an opportunity for workers in the field to exchange in-formation about the progress of their research. Although most work in information retrieval and mechanical translation de-scribed in this conference related to sci-ence and technology there were at least two instances when this was not the case. One was a discussion of possible mecha-nization of the Human Relations Area Dr. Maizell is Director, Documentation Research Project, American Institute of Physics. Files. T h e other was a description of a scheme for predicting sociological be-havior of groups of human beings. T h e conference participants generally agreed that formal standardization at this time would probably not be feasible. At the conclusion of the conference the par-ticipants decided to establish an ad hoc committee composed of fifteen represen-tatives from various countries, the prin-cipal purposes of which were: (1) to draw up a report summarizing discus-sions and recommendations made at the conference; and (2) to assign member-ship of three subcommittees which would discuss possible areas of cooperation in the following fields: (a) terminology and nomenclature; (b) research; and (c) ex-change of programs, personnel, and fa-cilities. This committee will approach professional bodies to determine their degree of interest in supporting these ac-tivities. It will also plan to hold another conference to show what work has been accomplished in the next one-to-two years. T h e president of this committee is Dr. B. C. Vickery of Imperial Chem-ical Industries, Ltd., Great Britain. T h e secretary is Dr. Allen Kent, Western Re-serve University, and the temporary lo-cation of the secretariat is at Dr. Kent's offices. M A R C H 1 9 6 0 125 As far as information retrieval is concerned, the principal news was that information retrieval specialists are con-tinuing to refine their techniques and that the next step may be the establish-ment of a model centralized information center cutting across various branches of science. Such a center has already been set up in the field of metallurgy by the American Society of Metals at West-ern Reserve University. T h e implica-tions are that the scientists whom uni-versity and research libraries serve may have a number of such facilities at their disposal. It should be noted that the National Research Council has under way a project which attempts to list and coordinate operating data compilation centers whether these centers be mecha-nized or not. This project is under the direction of Dr. Guy Waddington. An-other point of interest with respect to information retrieval is that for the first time the machines being used are not merely accounting machines adapted to information retrieval, but rather are now being specifically developed so as to be suitable for information searching. As far as mechanical translation is concerned, the development of this tech-nique to the point where it would be both technically and economically feasi-ble is several years in the future. In the meantime, scientists will have to rely on the large number of translations pre-pared by human beings at organizations such as the American Institute of Phys-ics and Consultants Bureau. One of the principal problems is that all copy going into the translation machines must be retyped on punched cards. However, re-search is going into the development of machines which will recognize typed or printed characters directly or which will recognize speech. Also, monotype tape can be used for direct conversion. T h e question can well be raised as to whether college and research librarians, and particularly those engaged in refer-ence work, should not be invited to participate more actively in work on mechanized information retrieval and translation. They are certainly in a good position to point out areas which are susceptible to machine treatment and which would profit from the multi-dimensional approach offered. They can probably help in the design of such systems. They are very sensitive to the information needs of scientists and to their probable reaction to centralized information centers. T h e librarians can also help in pointing out where conven-tional tools may fail and can levy specific questions which might be useful in eval-uating the output of mechanized re-trieval. There is no doubt that those who design mechanized retrieval systems consider that when such systems are fully developed librarians will continue to play an important role in interpreting and servicing requests for information. It is to be hoped that the next meeting of this conference will provide for greater participation by librarians and greater emphasis on the continuingly important role to be played by conventional infor-mation retrieval tools. T h e proceedings of the conference will be published as a book by Inter-science Publishers in the spring of 1960. This volume should prove useful in ac-quainting library school students with progress in the field and will make im-portant reading for others concerned with information retrieval. ACADEMIC S T A T U S — C R L is interested in receiving statements describing provision for academic rank or status for librarians in colleges and universities and accounts of how such provisions were achieved. Librarians are invited to send information on this score to the editor. This request is made on behalf of the Committee on Aca-demic Status of ACRL ' s University Libraries Section. 126 C O L L E G E A N D R E S E A R C H L I B R A R I E S 

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International Conference for Standards on a Common Language for Machine Searching Translation

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