CELEX: 51974PC1423
Language: en
Date: 1974-09-18
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION adopting a first 3 year plan of action in the field of information and documentation in science and technology (submitted to the Council by the Commission)

ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
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COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (74) 1423
Vol. 1974/0231
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 ---pagebreak--- - 'COMMISSION^OF'THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                             COM(74)1423 final
                                             Brussels , 18 September 1974
                                    Proposai for a
                                   COUNCIL DECISION
                adopting a first 3 year plan of action in the field of
                information and documentation in science and technology
                    ( submitted to the Council by the Commission)
      C01H74) 1423 final
 ---pagebreak---                                        1
  Plan of action in the field of scientific and technical information
            ( Communication from the Commission to the Council)
           On 24 June 1971 » "the Council adopted a resolution for the
coordination of the activities of Member States in the field of information
and documentation in science and technology ( IDST).
           The Resolution laid down too objectives : the encouragement of
progress in IDST and the progressive establishment of a European network
of documentation and information.
           The means of achieving those objectives were to be , in particular :
     ( a) encouraging initiatives directed at the rational development of
           IDST systems , by the permanent association of which the European
           network could be formed ;
     (b) establishing rules and methods for the operation of the network
           to ensure it 3 coherence ;
     ( c ) promoting the training of specialists and the education of users ;
     ( d) promoting technological progress in the science and methodology
           of documentation.
           At the same time , the Council set up the Committee for Information
and Documentation in Science and Technology ( CIDST ) to assist the
Commission and the PBUST Group in the prepaiatory work on projects and
other activities implementing the Resolution. The tasks of PREST in this
respect have now been assumed by CREST , set up by the Council on
14 January 1974 .
 ---pagebreak---                                         2
          During the first two years of its existence , thorough-going
and worth-while discussions have taken place in this Committee and in
the working parties it appointed to study, for example , the technical
aspects of the network , problems concerning charges for services
provided, the agricultural , environmental and medical sectors and the
question of patents .
          In its scientific and technological policy programme of
25 July 1973 ( COM(73 ) 1250), the Commission reviewed the situation in
the IDST field and outlined a plan of action. In its Resolution of
14 January 1974 concerning a first programme of action for the European
Communities in the field of science and technology, the Council noted
with interest the Commission 's intention to present to it proposals for
actions concerning scientific and technical information.
          It seemed clear , both to the CIDST and to the Commission, that
technical and commercial developments in the field of information and
documentation had "become so rapid and so fragmented that there was a
considerable risk that the establishment of a rational European network
would become impossible if practical action were not taken without delay.
          In accordance with item 2 of the Resolution of 24 June 1971 »
overall guidelines will be laid down by the Council. The Commission
proposes that the latter should decide to proceed from the exploratory
to the experimental stage , by implementing a three-year plan of action.
          The plan would provide for the establishment of systems
covering various - sectors ,- e . g«, the agricultural and environmental
fields | for a number of evaluation and pilot projects to enable a start
to be made on launching an operational network ; and for the study of
specific problems of horizontal integration (multilingual systems,
standardisation, training of specialists , etc .).
 ---pagebreak---                                           3
           The (kmaissixm^oc(risidBT3~thart -the ^eacpendirture necessary for
the ercpcuticn of the plan of action in 1975 is 1,840,000 AU# The
corresponding amounts needed to ensure the . progressive development of
the action plan are estimated at 2#3 MA.U for 1976 and 2.5 MAU for 1977
cn tli3 "basi3 of 1974 prices , these amounts to be finally determined "by
ihs "budget of the European Communities . The Commission will submit its
proposals after consultation with CIDST and CREST#
           Attached to the present communication ares the proposed
decisis, a technical dossier giving details of the plan of action and
the opinion of the CIDST and the CREST#
 ---pagebreak---                                  Proposai for a
           adopting a first 3 year plan of action in the field of
          information and documentation in science arid technology
           THE COUUCIL OF THE EUROPEAU COMUÎJITIES ,
           Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic ,
Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof ,
           Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
           Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament ,
           Noting the report by the Committee for Information and
Documentation on Science and Technology ( CIDST ) and the opinion of the
Committee on Scientific and Technological Research ( CREST),
           Whereas a resolution was adopted "by the Council and the
representatives of the Member States meeting within the Council on
24 June 1971 for the coordination of the activities of Member States
in the field of information and documentation     on science and technology
(;IDST ),
           Whereas the Heads of State or of Government , meeting in Paris
on 19 and 20 October 1972 , expressed their intention to define the
objectives and promote the development of a common policy in the field
of science and technology,
           Whereas , according to Article 2 of the Treaty, the Community''
shall have' as one of its tasks the promotion of harmonious development
of economic activities and a continuous and balanced expansion throughout
the Community,
 ---pagebreak---           Whereas the proliferation, of informatiCTrr systems -arid their
rapid Taut disparate progress as a result of the competition "between
public and private ventures , make the establishment of the European
network envisaged "by the Resolution of 24 June 1971 a matter of urgency .
          Whereas the setting up of this network would effectively contri­
bute to the achievement of the above-merit i oned objectives of the Treaty,
          Whereas the Treaty has not provided the necessary powers ,
          Whereas the Council adopted a Resolution on 14 January 1974
concerning a first plan of action for the European Communities in the
field of science and technology,
          HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION
                                Article 1
          An initial plan of action for the establishment of the European
network of information and documentation on science and technology, as
outlined in the annex , is hereby adopted for a period of three years to
run from 1 January 1975 * The annex forms an integral part of this
decision.
                                Article 2
          The Commission shall be respensible for the execution of this
plan of action, assisted by the Coaniittee for Information and Documentation
in Science and Technology ( CIDST)« This committee and the Scientific and
Tachrical Research Committee ( CREST ) shall be kept regularly informed of
the progress of the work, Furthermore , the Commission sha.ll submit a full
report to the Council each year . .
 ---pagebreak---                                  Article 3
          The expenditure necessary for the execution of this Plan of
Action in 1975 is indicated in the annex to this Decision .
                                 Artide 4
          The Commission will decide the detailed activities to "be carried
out under the Plan of Action in 1976 and 1977 after consultation with
CIDST and CREST .
          On this basis , the Commission will determine the estimates
of expenditure for 1976 and 1977 respectively , in accordance with the
budgetary procedure .
Annex : First three year Plan of Action in the field of ID ST
 ---pagebreak---                                                                 7
                                                                             Appendice to Annex 1
              FIRST 3-YEAR COIMTM TY PLAIT OF ACTION IN TH5 FIELD OF
             INFORMATION' AND DOCUMMTATI Off IN SCI MCE AND TECHNOLOGY
              The expenditure necessary for the execution of this Plan of
Action in 1975 is estimated at 1,840,000 AU . The corresponding amounts
needed to ensure the progressive development of the action plan are
estimated at 2 ,3 MAU for 1975 a*"* 2 ,5 MAU for 1977 on the "basis of 1974
prices , these amounts to he finally determined "by the "budget of the
European Commission .
              The plan's objectives include the following :
1 . Sectoral Information Systems
              The rapid development of sectoral information systems and their
integration into a European network involves setting up Community systems ,
which are to he made compatible with the network , for example in the
agricultural and environmental sectors , and examining the need for the
creation of new systems in appropriate sectors , as well as supporting the
rationalization and development of the various useful private ventures in
existence , particularly in the industrial sphere .
              The sum allocated for this purpose in 1975 is 550,000 AU .
2 . Implementation of the Information Network
       n li t   ~r~ 1 rrT r~ mi r n iib » n ■ i– ■ ■– in i – mi –ini ni !■ m  n
              The starting point is feasibility and pilot studies . Specifi­
cations for equipment and software will then be drawn up and standards
worked out for the management of the network and for its interaction
with users . Only then will the first software be developed , equipment
and telecommunication lines progressively installed , and the gradual
adaptation of specialised information systems of the Member States to the
ne iwork be undertaken .
              The sum allocated for this purpose in 1975 i3 660,000 AU .
 ---pagebreak---                                      8
3 , Information Technology and Methodology
          These support activities are aimed at establishing effective
multilingual systems and standard formats for information exchanges ,
trcdning of specialists in information technology, education of users ,
and improvement, of systems * methodology, data tanks and information and
analysis-centres .
          The sum^allocated for this purpose in 1975 i s 630,000 AU .
                                      0
                               0             0
          The action taken to achieve all these objectives will be carried
out mainly under contract with competent organisations in the Member
States and may be extended to organisations of third countries under
appropriate conditions , in Conformity with the resolutions of the
Council of 24 June 1971 and 14 January 1974 *
          Furthermore , the financial support in 1976 and 1977 of the
conversion of national systems of scientific and technical information
and documentation to the norm    of the European network, with particular
reference to the distribution of the expenditure between the Member
States and the Community should bo fully examined and agreed in good
time-
 ---pagebreak---                                                            MîTEX 2
                Plan of Action 1975**77 * Detailed Proposals
         One of the principal assets of Europe lies in the traditionally
high intellectual ability and inventiveness of its peoples , reflected
in a continuing high level of investment in the future through research .
However, the proper exploitation of this considerable asset in techno­
logical innovation requires that the ever increasing volume of
scientific and technical information available "be correctly, promptly
and economically channelled through appropriate information transfer
systems to those in our Community who need it .
         It was , therefore , natural that, in its 24 June 1971 Resolution,
the Council stressed that the keystone of an information policy worthy
of Europe lay in the establishment and operation of a highly efficient
and necessarily sophisticated information/documentation network linking
together all the scientific information resources of the Member Countries .
The establishment of an effective and economical network to bring
scientific and technical information and documentation and the systems
which process , store and supply it to all the users of the Community, on
a basis of fair and equal access , is a major undertaking :
     – appropriate to the European Community ;
     – capable of bringing considerable benefit and saving, both
       economic and intellectual , alike to scientists , industry,
       national administrations , educators and managers and the general
       public .
         It is an undertaking whose immediate beginning, in the view of both
the Commission and the Committee for infoiraation and documentation in science
 ---pagebreak---                                     10
and technology ( CIDST) created under the 1971 Resolution, can no longer
be delayed without serious danger, "but which requires extensive study,
experimentation and pilot operation at each step of the road . For this
reason, in close cooperation with CIDST, the Commission now proposes a
three year plan of action covering these phases and leading, only towards
the end of the period , to full substantive long-term operations for which
a fresh decision will be sought from the Council in due time .
        . The development of the enterprise falls naturally under three
heads :
          – development of useful and necessary Community information
            systems ;   .
          – development of a common communications network to be the
            physical skeleton of the enterprise , and linkage of
            appropriate systems to it :
          – methodological and technological support »
          These headings are treated in the chapters that follow.
          The detailed plans of action which follow remain flexible .
They reflect the existing discussions and consensus of opinion in the
CIDST, but are subject to further discussion and , in every case , to
further development or modification in the course of negotiations with
our partners who must carry out the bulk of the work , and in particular
with the heads of the specialised scientific and technical information
systems and centres of the Member States .
 ---pagebreak--- STIiO Systems
       When the Council of Ministers , at its meeting of 24 June 197 ' »
adopted its resolution aimed at coordinating actions of Member States
in scientific and technical information, it stressed the need for
setting up and developing sectoral information systems in a rational
fashion .
       A number of such systems are already operational ; some are
about to be established ; others are planned .
       The overall programme outlined below received the endorsement
of CIDST at its meeting on 28/29 March 1974 *
       The Council foresaw already in 1971 that the sectoral systems
should ultimately become part of the European Information and
Documentation Network for Science and Technology ( EURGHET), Practical
steps to this effect are covered in Chapter 2 below.
 ---pagebreak---                                        12
1.1.1 . IDST System ETOS
                  Within the framework of the Euratom Treaty, the European
        Nuclear Documentation System ( ENDS) was designed in 1960 and
        started its input operation in 1961 . In 1967 » the first output
        was provided . Now ( 1974 ) 1*5 million documents are stored, about
        6,000 retrospective literature searches have been performed ,
        services for 700 SDI profiles are provided , and an on-line
        dialogue is operated .
                 As a result of a meeting of the heads of the national
        nuclear energy documentation centres and other specialists from
        the Member States convened in Luxembourg on 25 January 1^74 » the
        following plans were mades
                 ( 1 ) The Commission will continue to operate the European
                       Nuclear Documentation' System ( ENDS) for retronpsctive
                       searches , tut will limit the new input to the system
                       to such documents as are covered by INT.S.
                 ( 2 ) The European Nuclear Documentation System will be
                       made Mnet«fit+ia£w and become part of the network .
                       The Commission vri.ll perform a test opsrsvtion " on–
                       line " with one or two national centres .
                 It is confidently expected that this will open the
        way to optimal use of the turuque asset constituted by one of the
        most extensive collections of scientific documents in the world
        serviced by a small , but highly experienced staff .
 ---pagebreak---                           T3
      The following operations are planned for 1975®
( a) Retrieval for retrospective literature searches
      in "batch processing.
(t>) Retrieval for rétrospective literature searches
      in on–line mode in–house and experimentally outside ,
( o ) Retrieval for periodical literature searches ( SDl )»
( d ) Contribution of HJRATOM to the input of IKIS.
 ---pagebreak---             By a resolution dated 24 -June 1971 , jhe pounds of
  Ministers agreed to create a Community
  processing ^u^jiissemnairi^ ^ -ir                              of
  metallurgy,                • - •;
            Acoording- tcr the^x©soln±±on. and a j^ibeeqaeni agreement
 between the Commission and a number of p&tion&l metallurgy
 Information centres, these centres take care of the cataloguing,
 indexing and abstracting of the literature on the one hand, and
 the service- to-4isera. pru tbejjr ^«r-jrd fories on the other.
           The Commission is responsible for the central -storage^ '
^roooasxng. and. disiidJba±i.art-of "the-callectedl 4ata«
           Tb^ pix>g3T€unroo f03r "l975 . iiioludest
      (a) the keypunching and tape storage of approximately
           9,000 worksheets supplied by some of the participants ;
           other participants supply their contribution directly
           on magnetic tape ;
      (b) the preparation of microfiches for approximately
          40,000 worksheets }
      (c) the computer processing of the material supplied,
          including verification and correction of the cataloguing
          and indexing data, generic posting, merging of the
          material into a single data base , and preparation of
          tape copies for distribution ;
     (d ) the updating of the metallurgy thesaurus in several
          language versions , and the printing of supplements ,
          updated versions and KWIC indexes *
          To sum up, SDIM should beoome fully operational in 1975
on a large scale and with full cooperation of the new Member
States of the Communities .
 ---pagebreak--- 1o2«1 » ETR^AGPJ 3 I (©iropecm~corrtrilrai±cn~1ro-N^^      ^rterrusct-Lonal.. . –
        IS^TOaTion System for Agricultural Science exld Technology, '
        established tmder the auspices of the PAO )
                   The aim of the project is to organise a joint contrituition
        of the Member States of the Communities to the World Agricultural
        Bibliography AGRIS I f to be established under the auspices of
        the FAO(/ 1 ^
                   The first objective is to collect , select , catalogue ,
        index and place at the disposal of AGRIS I bibliographical
        references to European agricultural literature , thus enabling
        the AGRIS I data processing centro to draw up a complete biblio­
        graphy.
                   The second objective is an appropriate diffusion and
        exploitation of the output of AGRIS I in the countries of the
        Community*
                   In order to meet the PAO calendar , the pilot operation
        must start shortly^ it will be carried out under the guidance of
        the Agriculture Working Group of CIDST,
                   The programme comprises :
               –   the scanning of scientific and technical agrioallvral
                   journals and non–periodical documents ,
               –   the processing of cover–to-cover analysed journals,
        ( 1 ) The prolongation of the test phase of AGPIS I was decided
              by the XVII th PAO Conference , held in November 1973 in Rome
 ---pagebreak---                     16
the translation into English of those document titles
which are published in other languages of the Community,
the description, cataloguing and
the classification and indexing ( subject control ) of
the seleoted documents ,
the reoording of the input data on magnetic tapes and
the processing of the data#
 ---pagebreak---                                  17
A-grinultural Management Information System ( AMIS)
            AMIS is to be a co-ordinated documentation and
information network for the Europeanr Community, serving agri­
cultural policy in such relevant areas as agricultural economics z
rural sociology and agricultural legislation .
            It has the following aimss
     – to co-ordinate existing services by sharing, on a
         Community basis , work and expertise . This would
         allow co-operating centres to concentrate on their
         own subject or mission specialisation !
     «- to improve the services offered through the use of
         electronic data processing and to investigate the
         possibilities of providing translation facilities
         so as to expand the scope of services to users j
     – to examine the possibilities and investigate the
         need for extending the coverage within the relevant
         fields , particularly with regard to non-conventional
         literature and to provide mutual exchange of such
         d ocumentat 1 on •
            A Round Table of Experts , convened by the Commission on
the recommendation of the CIDST Agriculture Working Group , is
studying at present the possibilities of achieving the aims set
out above •
            The programme includes the followings
      ( a) the preparation of the contribution of the Commission
            to AMI S :
      (b) an input test of merging various data bases in the
            Community:
 ---pagebreak---                            18
( o ) the compilation of a controlled vooabulary in the
      AMIS field "based on a preliminary draft already-
      prepared by the Commission and an work underway in
      France and Germany }
(d ) a study of the feasibility of providing a "back-up"
      service , i.e. a mutual exchange of actual documents }
( e ) a study of the user needs regarding management
      information .
 ---pagebreak---                                               19
1 „ 2.3 . IPST System on Environment
                         In accordance with the Declaration of the Council of the
          European Communities on 22 November 1973 on the programme of action
                                                               (1
           of the European Communities on the Environment v , actions should
          "be token to co-ordinate environmental information systems in the
          Member States and create new systems whenever necessary .          These
           systems should ultimately be integrated into the European IDST
                      (2
          networlcv ' and talce their place in a broader international frame**
          work .      Studies and actions will be proposed and carried out by
           the Commission after consulting a group of national experts
          representing customer interests and the Committee for Information
          and Documentation in Science and Technology .
                         According to preliminary investigations by the two
           groups of experts , the following actions are planned for 1975 *
                   1 • Environmental Management Information
                      ( Studies on customer needs and requirements , existing
                        information sources , definition and description of a
                        system. Pilot project .)
                   2 . European Inventory of Information sources and joint
                        European contribution to UN programme
                      ( Inventory of research projects on environment , inventory
                        of centres of excellence , inventory of documentation
                        sources .)
                   3o European Analysis service for pollution control technology
                      ( Studies and starting implemcntation )
                   4 . Studies and/or starting pilot projects
                      ( Environmental legislation information system , pilot file
                        on conference papers , access to different information
                        records , and other studies necessary for implementation
                        of the programme .)
           ( 1 ) See Official Journal of the E.C., Vol . 16 , No . C.112,
                 20 December 1973 f Annex, Part II , Title 1 , Chap . 11,c )
                 Pages 34-37 *
           ( 2 ) According to the Council 1 s Resolution of 24 June 1971
                 ( O.J. Ho . C.122 , 10.12.1971 , P« 7 )
 ---pagebreak---                                             20
1 *3*1 • Co-operation in Documentation and Information in Veterinary Science
                               ompmttammtmm    >n uwi
                    A Round Table of Experts convened by the Commission on
         the recommendation of the CIDST Agriculture Working Group is at
         present studying the possibilities of widening existing bilateral
      •  contacts between individual countries within a European pattern#
         The preparatory work is desired to lead to the implementation of
         a co-operative system, probably in 1977 or 1978 *
                    For the time being, the following studies or development
         operations , respectively, are planned or are already under way :
              ( a) Evaluation of existing data bases useful in veterinary
                    medicine •
              (b) Review articles
                    The review articles should cover important topics in
                    research and will be based on national contributions ,
                    A total number of 20-25 themes a year is envisaged .   They
                    should Ibe published in at least 3 or 4 languages .
          s
              ( c ) Compilation of a common multilingual controlled vocabu­
                    lary in veterinary science .
                    This will be based on preparatory work performed mainly
                    in the United Kingdom, Germany and Prance , as well as
                    on studies already started in order to merge existing
                    thesauri .
              (d) Further studies and development of other aspects of
                    veterinary documentation particularly on information
                    analysis, processing of clinical data end disease reports .
              ( e ) Design of a oo-operative system.
 ---pagebreak---                                         21
1.3.2 . Co-operation in Documentation and Information in Tropical and-
        Sab^ffropical Agriculture ( AGRITROP )
                 . A Round Table of Experts convened by the Commission on
        the recommendation of the CIDST Agriculture Working Group is
        studying the possibilities to «o-ordinate the work of specialised
        documentation centres in the Member States .     The aim is the
        creation of a common data base which may be regarded as part of
        the Community* s aid to developing countries and as the Community's
        input to the corresponding system being developed by the FAO .
                   To this end, three actions have been started or are
        planned :
             1 . Enquiry into users* needs based on preliminary studies
                  of PAO and the British Department for Overseas Development ,
             2 . Documentation of "development literature" ( progress
                  reports , feasibility studies , reports on development
                  aid projects , etc .)
             3 « Compilation of a common multilingual controlled vocabu­
                  lary in tropical and sub–tropical agriculture , based on
                  preparatory work carried out mainly in Prance and the
                  Netherlands .
                                                                         y
 ---pagebreak---                                       22
1.3.3 . Documentation of 'Agricultural Literature in Difficult Languages
                 The only specific "bibliography on East European Agri­
        culture ceased publication two years ago .  Yet the Member States
        of the Communities have expressed their interest in covering
        agricultural literature in East European and other languages .
                 A small Round Table of Experts , convened "by t^e
        Commission on the recommendation of the CIDST Agriculture Working
        Group, is studying this problem in order to co-ordinate dispersed
        activities in the Community, to improve the exchange of informal
        tion and documents and to make existing facilities ( secondary
        services and translation services ) better known.
                 Studies on coverage , language barriors and user needs ,
        as well as the compilation of a union catalogue of East European
        agricultural periodicals in West European Libraries , are envisaged .
 ---pagebreak--- 1c3»4 » Biosed: o"l Information
                  The mandate of the Working Group "Biomedical Information"
        approved "by the PREST Group on 15 December 1973 , provides for the
        following studies :
             – multilingual terminology and medical me ta–language s j
             – acquisition and processing of "biomedical data ( medical
                records and data banks );
             – permanent inventory of "biomedical research whether in
                hand or planned ;
             «• elaboration of proposals for co-ordination and co-operation
                of the appropriate medical services in the European Community .
                  The studies mentioned involve investigations about the
        users and their needs , the elaboration of standardised medical
        records , i«e » survey of existing documentation systems ( data banks,
        compilation of multilingual thesauri , etc ,)
 ---pagebreak--- 1 « 3»5 « M7DISBD – European Inf onnation System on Education
                      The only existing information system on education,
          ERIC , covers literature originating in the United States .
                      The Council of Europe , foreseeing the need for a
          European counterpart of ERIC , created a Working Group for the
          harnonisation of the terminology of educational programmes and
          curricula.     This resulted in the oreation of a tri-lingual
          thesaurus for EUDISED .
                      The programme includes :
                ( a) the study and management of the EUDISED thesaurus
                      using the Commission1 s technical competence in
                      thesaurus management j ,
                ( t>) a feasibility study of the creation of a European
                      information system on educational matters , in co­
                      operation with the Member States and the Council of
                      Europe .
 ---pagebreak---                                                              25
1«4 » Data 'banks , including data banks on materials , properties and
      social*=economic information
      WMMft « *1 ^ ll» ^tll ifi ift I ", '».-Mfi IWIMWi–
                        Inf orr?ati or^ users prefer more and more to gain immediate
      access to hard data instead of being referred to literature in which
      they possibly can find these data .                          The need for data banks arises
      also from the fact that , with these , comparisons and calculations
      can immediately be performed by computer#
                        The establishment of data banks requires an enormous effort .
      There are , therefore , not yet many in the Member States of the
      Community ,                     Nevertheless such activities do exist , and it should
      be the task of the Commission to stimulate and to co-ordinate them :
      that is , to promote the application of common rules , to secure high
      quality standards , and to arrange co-ordinated processing of
      different contributions .
                       At its meeting on 29 March 1974 } "the CIDST agreed to start
      preparatory investigations in two sectors :
            1 • Materials Data
                                                         i .  ■' * ' .
            2 . Social–économie Data
                       At least for the Materials Data Bank, certain organisations
      in the Member Countries have already shown their interest in co­
      operation .                     This co-operation should result in the operation of a
      pilot data bank by one of the contributing organisations or by the
      Commission in order to gain experience in operating data banks .
 ---pagebreak---                                         26
1.5 « Studies of futuro systems
                In -the framework of the Baropean Network ( HJRONET),
      ultimately all scientific and technical areas should "be covered
      t>y information systems .   In addition to the systems mentioned under
      1«1 » to 1«4*y new systems will have to "be created step "by step or,
      alternatively, corresponding activities in the Member Countries will
      have to "be co-ordinated#    '
                The Council of Ministers , in its Resolution of 24 June 1971 »
      agreed to support initiatives in this respect , and the CIDST, at
      its meeting of 28/29 March 1974* endorsed the necessity to start
      with preparatory investigations in the following areas :
           – research and development m energy
           – support for selected industrial information systems
           – modem transport technology
           «» food technology
           – water resources
           -• information and libraxy activities
           • current rosearch pro jects
           – science policy
 ---pagebreak---                                     27
Provision of documentation processing facilities
            In order to enable the Community Institutions to' play their
role in the European Information Network ( HTR0JT5T ) r the Commission
is duty–bound :                        '        ,
     – to exploit a limited number of sectoral information
         systems vdLthin the framework of the developing EURGNETj
     – to carry out limited pilot schemes and pre–testing
         ( including debugging) of sectoral systems ;
     – constantly to seek ways of improving the performance of
         existing systems and to that end conduct appropriate tests
        and experiments ;
     – to maintain a high standard of expertise in advanced
        documentation techniques at all levels .
            To the extent that these activities involve the execution
of computer work by the services of the Commission, this work will
be carried out by its computer centre vrtien this last is set up in
definitive form#       In the meanwhile , the Commission will take'
appropriate steps to enable its centre to carry out these tasks .
            The programme iricludess
     ( a) extension of dedicated processing facilities for
            documentation purposesî
   , ( b ) linking the Luxembourg data bases and facilities with
          - EURONET .
 ---pagebreak---                                   28
 Tho Information Network
         The Council of Ministers , at its meeting on 24 June 1971 ,
 agreed that a European network for scientific and technical informa­
 tion (3UR0NET) should "be established as soon as practicable, in order
 to put all the information resources available at the disposal of
-tho totality of potential users in tho countries of. the Community .
         The implementation of such a far-reaching programme required
 a number of preliminary studies and consultations which have been
 carried out by the Commission in cooperation with CIDST and its
 technioal advisory group .
         The setting up of EURGEET will take several years and this
major undertaking, through co-operative effort , must therefore be
carefully planned and implemented in stages .
         Five fundamental phases are outlined in items 2.1# to 2.5 .
which,, together, constitute the blueprint for action drawn up in
co–operation with the experts of the Member States .
         The costs and urgency of this project should be viewed in
relation to the fact that the beneficiaries of an efficient EURGUET
will be many and widely spread . In fact , the scientific community as
a whole , as well as industry, will ultimately derive direct profit
from information properly processed and distributed . Moreover, the
educational sector will also benefit from it , as will the public
administrations of the Member States .
 ---pagebreak---                                     29
1 , Preparatory studies for EuRQNET
            These preparatory studies are designed to provide a basis
    for the planning and development of the information network . Agree­
    ment has been reached on a number of initial studies to be supple­
    mented later by other surveys and analyses .
    Inventory of information resources
            In a study dealing with information resources , the compila­
    tion of an inventory of data bases and information services has been
    undertaken, based on existing national inventories and data collected
    by means qf a questionnaire .
            In follow-up studies , both overlapping of and gaps between
    data bases and services will be identified .
    Evaluation of resources and services
            The performance of the services offered by the information
    network will directly depend on that . of the individual information
    retrieval systems connected to the network. It will , therefore , be
                                                                         \
    necessary, zn certain cases , to- perform system . evaluations before
    the network management can come to a decision concerning the
    connection of .systems to the network.. It will also be necessary to
    analyse certain data bases and their operations in order to collect
    the relevant data for decisions on the usefulness of integrating
    data bases into the systems . -
       v ■           1
    Market studies
            For the description of user needs , it will be necessary to
    carry out market studies designed to identify the users of the
    network and their needs . In these studies , quantitative and
    qualitative user data will be collected on a Community basis . These
    data derive from three kinds of study :
 ---pagebreak---                                   30
    – studies designed to provide estimates of the number of
      potential users , their location and geographical dispersal ,
      their subject "background and activity# This could lead to
      identification of different user groups which may have
      different requirements for acoess and services }
    » studies to throw light on the information awareness of
      different user groups , the extent of their access to, and
      use of , trained information personnel , and formal informal
      tion resources ;     v                    ,
    – an evaluation of the more important user groups' reactions
      to different outputs from, and kinds of access to, informa­
      tion systems and existing networks .
         The studies will he "based , as far as possible , on national
surveys and studies .
Economie évaluation
       • The results of the above mentioned studies will be the basis
for the work involved in planning EURQtTET. In order to have the
necessary data available for the economic evaluation of the various
technical alternatives that might satisfy user needs and other
requirements , certain further studies are envisaged .
         In "the first place , there are case studies . A variety of
co-operative information systems exist and , in addition to the
technical and organisational aspects, the eoonomic aspects of their
development and operation will have to be examined * .            * '•
 ---pagebreak---                                 31
        Secondly, other studies are proposed to deal with the
economic implications of parameters such as multiple storing of
data bases in the network systems , volume of data bases per system,
configuration of the communication network , terminal speed#
        Moreover, in a network environment , in which the user will
be offered services originating from several systems , the concept
of an adequate pricing policy for the network services has to bo
worked out . This pricing policy will lay .down in advance to the
system operators the conditions under which the services of their
systems will be offered to the users of the network .  These
operators may, therefore , plan their own systems accordingly .
 ---pagebreak---                                     32
Feasibility studios and giwKMa^.au
                           pilot élagua
                                   projocts for  the computer
                                            lupoawBo–i–    –»
comrnuni cation network
          The second step in the setting up of EQRONET will "be the
development of advanced data transmission networks #       The data
networks planned by the Post Offices in the various countries of
the European Communities are not expected to come into operation
for general public use before 1985 •
          A solution must , therefore , be found for the EQR01TET to
cover the interim period between 1975           1935 *                   ι
                                                                        /
          As a result of the preparatory studies of 2.1 ., a number
of information retrieval systems will be selected which will have
to be connected to the information network .       Potential users will
bo identified for each of these systems#
          Thus, the potential user population for the systems selected
for incorporation in the network will also be known#
          A feasibility study for the communication network will be
performed based on these data# In this study, the technical
alternatives will be identified and specifications worked out#
          In a dialogue with an information retrieval system, the
user of a terminal must employ a well-defined command language #
These languages are totally different from system to system# This
is extremely inconvenient for the user who does not wish to switch
from one language to another when switching from one system to
another#
          It is , therefore , recommended that a standardised command
language be developed#
 ---pagebreak---                                33
        This study should also identify how much effort in the
programming would be needed to adapt a non–standardised command
language to a standardised one , or, in other words , how much the
development of a standardised user/system interface for a
particular system would cost .
        To provide users with access to information stored in
various systems will also require the provision of advice to these
users on which system is nost appropriate in each particular case#
Such an advisory service is essential in the cost-effective
operation of a network . It will help to minimise "both user
retrieval effort and search costs f i.e. telecommunication costs
and data processing costs .
        In the initial phase of network operations , this adviBory
service will be a manual service at national level . In a feasibility
study, the possibilities for developing a computer–based referral
service will be investigated .
 ---pagebreak---                                     34
Création of the communications network
–                      owtw Î>W»II.    lbji mm. –in
           As a result of the feasibility study on an interim connunica^-
tion facility for EDRONET, a physical network will have to he set up .
           The progressive installation of appropriate communication
facilities is scheduled to begin in 1976 *          In 1975 * "the development
of new software or modification of suitable existing" software must
also start .     Two types of software have to be considered : supervisory
software and application software .
           The supervisory software will perform funotions such as ;
      «■ statistics of network traffic ;
      – statistics of faults :
      – routxng of messages ;
      – failure détection ; '
    ' – error reoovery ;
      «• availability of host processors ;
      – cost accountmg.
           The application software will perform message-handling
functions such as transmission, validation , failure detection, re-*
formatting.
           Furthermore , interface software will need to be developed for
protocol conversion between nodal points and hosts or data–base
carrying processors .      The Commission will carry out experiments with
remote cc.i«line information retrieval from data bases stored by it .
These experiments must provide the information required for the
design yvniies of the network .       There are also plans to carry out
exper ?.n3"vc.3 on the sharing of data transmission links with other
syster?;:' providing remote user access, which will mean, from 1976
onwarls , the leasing of a limited number of lines .
 ---pagebreak---                                    35
Network management studies
          At the present stage of the network development , it is not
known what organisational set-^up will be chosen to carry out the
network plans *   Some assumptions , however , can "be made :
     – most of the executive work ( installation, operation,
       maintenance , etc .) related to the communication network,
       terminals included , will "be carried out under contract ;
    -• the management of information retrieval systems and data
       "banks that are to be linked to the network , will remain
       xfith their sponsoring organisations .
          This will , of course , ease to some extent the management
task of the network.     The multilingual , nultidisciplinary and multis* .
national character of the network , however, will still make the
management function a complex and arduous business .             A separate study
will , therefore , be made of the problems involved in managing the
information network so that , by 1976 , specifications for an optimal
network management will be available .
          Besides the aspect of managing the network , there still
remains the question of the training of management both for the
                               – mtdWiff»         «trjttw» • mm
information network and the participating systems .             It would seem
desirable that this task be carried out at Community level .
 ---pagebreak---                                   36
Support for converting existing services
          Support nust "be provided for certain information systems
( existing or under development ) in order to make them compatible
with the European network and to put them in such a position as to
serve the real needs of users in all the Member Countries of the
Community *
          mm
          As the installation of the communication network and
user terminals is scheduled for 1976 | networks-compatible information
retrieval systems and data banks will be needed by then . The most
appropriate systems for incorporation in the network are those
which already provide, or will do so in the near future , on-line
access to stored data. Operators of such systems are expected to
have the necessary experience and interest to adapt their systems
to the requirements defined by the communication network and by
the network management .
          Adaptation activities are :
     •* system/network interface development ;
     – development or modification of transaction processing
        monitors ;
     – extension of configuration where needed ;
     •• setting up of an abstracts distribution service .
          In 1975, it would be desirable to obtain some technical
advice on the merits of adapting certain systems . It would
similarly be worthwhile to give support to promising initiatives
from system operators . It is quite probable that in 1976 and for
a few years to follow, only a limited part of the total field of
science and technology will be oovered by the adapted on-line
systems . The Commission, therefore, proposes to exploit commercially
 ---pagebreak---                                 37
available data bases at A European level .    In order to achieve this ,
four or five specifically oriented information centres within the
Community could "be extended in such a way as to make commercially
available data bases available on-line through the network.     Thus ,
a centre for physics could be extended in one country , one for
chemistry in another, and so on .    One can foresee the following
cost factors :
      •• acquisition of data bases ;
      – extension of computer configuration ;
    • – development of suitable software ;
  • - – recruitment of additional staff *              ■.
           Member States must come to an agreement on the question of
which centres would have to be chosen for this purpose , otherwise
the European network will be at a disadvantage with other networks
such as Ttymshare which is based in the United States . .
           An improvement in the availability of information to users
in the short term can be reached by inviting particularly promising
systems to open their doors to users within the entire European
Community .   Some financial support will be required as soon as 1975
to encourage the necessary technical , linguistic and other adjust­
ments . However, such conversions and most of the adaptations will
come only in 1976 and later.    Until then, appropriate financing
will have to be found by seeking national contributions ( public
and/or private ) as well as a Community contribution, the
preparations of which are still to bo determined .
 ---pagebreak---                                    38
Information Methodology and Technology
         Daring "the past decade , Europe has fallen behind in the
development of advanced information technology and methodology which
has made particularly rapid progress in the United States and, more
recently, in Japan# There is , therefore , an imperative need to fill
existing gaps , hut at the same time , a serious effort must he made to
solve problems that are specifically European .
         These problems are due to the existence of language barriers
and divergent approaches in the fields of standards , specialist
education and technological development#
         The Council fully recognised this .difficulty when it called ,
in its 1971 Resolution, for the furthering of technological .progress ,
in documentary data processing and the sciences of documentation and
for the promotion of specialist training and education of users .
         At two meetings of the CIDST, a complete consensus of
opinion emerged to the effect that every endeavour should be made to
overcome the deficiencies and to , assist the Member States in estab­
lishing an appropriate , comprehensive and advanced .technological
infrastructure as a pre-requisite for the setting up of the European
information network .
         The . steps and measures proposed are summarised in. items 3.1 .
to 3.6 .                                                  .     ..
 ---pagebreak---                                       39
Study arid development of appropriate? multilingual tools
          There are two types of language problems in the context of
the European networks terminology control and translation of text#
          Terminology control implies the creation, maintenance and
use of multilingual standardised vocabularies or thesauri *
          Translation ox text involves the conversion of the semantic
content of the words , and the conversion of the syntactic structure
of the statements from one language into another .
          The programme me rude s :
    ( a) a thorough study of the contents , structure and utilisation
          of thesauri , based on a collection of all thesauri in use
          today and upon experience in their management j
    (b ) the elaboration of thesaurus guidelines ( see also under
          " Standardisation", Item 3.2 . )j
    ( c ) the development of a universal modular software package
          for the compilation, updating, printing end application of
          mono– and multilingual thesauri ; the experimental management
          of one or several sectoral thesauri ;
    ( d ) the study of cost and efficiency of various methods proposed
          for the translation of text ; in particulars
          – a pilot test of the TITUS system, involving the writing
             and aut omati o trans 1 ati on of normalised sentenoes ;
          ~ the extension of the application of automatic indexing
             techniques to a multilingual environment ( in cooperation
             with CSTIS).
 ---pagebreak---                                    40
Study and development of standards for the information network
          Operation of the information network implies the transfer
of information "between various countries , languages , scientific
fields , data bases or network nodes . This transfer is feasible
only insofar as the information elements and the operational
routines are' thoroughly standardised .
          The programme includess
    ( a) the development of a unique magnetic tape interchange
          format for "bibliographical data ( in co-operation with
          UNESCO and EUSIDIC );
    ("b) study of the cost and efficiency of alternative methods
          for the merging and redistribution of sectoral data bases
          into mission-oriented interdisciplinary data bases ;
    ( c ) the elaboration of guidelines covering the contents ,
          structure and use of thesauri to be developed within the
          network "( in co-operation with UNESCO and ISO);
    ( d ) the study of existing rile a and guidelines for cataloguing,
          abstracting and indexing, based on a collection of rules
          used in existing systems ; elaboration of guidelines for
          systems to be integrated in the network#'
 ---pagebreak---                                         41
3,3 » Information Analysis Centres
                 The methodology of literature information retrieval systems
      l/as developed over the last twer.ty years through the successive
      invention of Co-ordinate Indexing, Boolean Strategy, Pile Compression,
      Relevance Feedback, and On--Line Interactive Retrieval .
                 Luring this period , little attention was given ( except in
      the USA) to the analysis and evaluation of subjeot content of the
      available literature .
                 Centres of expertise have evolved only in subject fields
      where an extensive need for directly usable , factual information
      existed-
                 The proposed programme includes :
           ( a) a typology covering the operational modes and utilisation
                 patterns of existing information analysis facilities j
           ( b)' a study of the need for new facilities , and the develop­
                 ment of criteria and guidelines for the creation of such
                 facilities ;
           ( c) the experimental development of new information analysis
                 facilities in selected subject fields .
                 Expenditures for th±a programme cannot be itemised with
      precision at the present time . They are , therefore , covered by
      the proposed credits for development studies ( Item 3.6 » of the
      budgetary plan).
 ---pagebreak---                                  42
Training of information specialists and education of users
          An overall co-operative programme for the training of
information specialists in Europe will have to "be set up ( reso­
lution of the Council of 1971 )• In the meanwhile , it is necessary •
to undertake an interim programme comprising a number of limited
actions to determine the real needs in quality, identify the main
problem areas , and develop appropriate curricula. These actions
constitute an extension of the efforts already made in some Member
Countries with the aim of raising the general level of education
and training throughout the Community.
          It is also necessary to find ways and means to make
potential users of EJJR01TET aware of the "benefits they will "be able
to draw from its use . The programme in 1975 inoludest
    (a) the organisation of a summer school , comprising a three-
          week course "by a European group- of first–class specialists ;
    ("b ) the convening of specialist discussion groups for the
          thrashing out of problems of timely interest or controversy ;
    ( c ) the sponsoring of short–'term visits to centres of expertise
          in other countries ;
    (d ) the organisation of seminars and workshops specifically
          designed for managers , system analysts,' and other
          specialists responsible for the efficient operation of
          IDST systems ;
    (a ) the definition of methods for developing the information
          consciousness of future system users during their university
          education ;
    ( f) the elaboration of a programme of conferences , exhibitions ,
          demonstrations , marketing, and other actions likely to
          promote the use of EQEQNET .
 ---pagebreak---                                  43
Development of infCroatian technology
         In order to improve the performance of IDST systems :and of
the European IDST network, it will "be necessary to develop new
information technologies and, in the first instance , to carry out :
    ( a) study of oost and efficiency of various file structures
         in a network environment , including direct and inverted
         files , clustering techniques and dynamic file arrangements
    (t>) an investigation of the European Programme Library» in
         order to identify programmes that can "be used or adopted
         for use in the context of ELTRGNET#
         Conversely, all valuable software identified in the course
         of case studies or produced in the course of development
         studies will be fed into the European Programme Library#
 ---pagebreak---                                     44
Development Studies
            Correct orientation of the creation of IDST systems and
their integration into the information network implies a number
of state-of-the-art and feasibility studies , the topics of which
will "be specified as the needs for new systems arise .
            The following actions are already envisaged !   -
    (a) a study of the contents, operational nodes and utilisation
            pattern of existing data "banks ; the development of guide­
            lines for the creation, updating and interrogation of
            data "banks ( in co-operation with CODATA) ;
    ( b) experimental development of data banks in seleoted subject
            fields including materials and socio-economic data
            (Item 1.4 ») Î
    ( c ) a study of the operational modes and utilisation patterns
            of existing information analysis centres ; the study of the
           need , and the development of criteria and guidelines for
            the creation of new facilities ( in co-operation with
            CODATA), (Item 3.3 .) i
          \
    (d ) experimental development of new information analysis
            facilities in selected subject fields ;
    ( e ) study of co-operative industrial information systems and
            their rationalisation and development :
 ---pagebreak---                              45
(f ) the study of the need , and feasibility of information
     systems in subject fields of timely interest , including
     research and development in the field of energy produc­
     tion ; the future technology of transportation ? the
     science and technology of food ( in co-operation with
     IPIS, the International Pood Information Service );
     European resources of water, wood and paper; information
     science and library activities ; inventories of European
     research projects in various subject fields ; science
     policy; and many others , as they come into the headlines .
 ---pagebreak---                                        46
                                                           MWEX 3
              ACTION PROGRAMME ON INFORMATION AND DOCUJTElTTATiaN
            IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR THE PERIOD   1975 - 1977
                               OPINION OF CID3T
The Committee' for Information and Documentation on Science and Technology ,
Conscious of the rapid developments which have occurred within its field
of competence since it was set up in 1971 »
Considering that , in the absence of prompt action , the various measures
agreed "fay the Council and , notably, the setting up of a European network of
soientific and technioal information and documentation , run a serious rick
of being ineffective ,
Taking account of the full discussions at its 9"th and 10th sessions ,
– Considers that the aotions set out in Document CIDST/77/74 – Rev. 1 should
   be carried out by the Community acoording to the planned calendar,
– Recommends to the Commission to propose a comprehensive plan of action
   along these lines to the Council immediately,
– Considers that the budget of the Communities should cover the expenditures
   set out in Document CIDST/77/74 – Rev. 1 for the years 1973 – 1977»
– Stresses that in certain programmes the increase in 1976 ar_d 1977 is due
   to the lead time foreseen in setting them up ,
«» Decides to transmit the present opinion to the Commission of the European
   Communities as well as to the Committee for Scientific and Technical
   Research ( CREST).
   The United Kingdom Delegation formally reserves its position .
 ---pagebreak---                                           47
                                                  Armex to ACTTEX 3   .
                                                  Doc . CIDST/77/74 Rev. 1
                 ACTION PROGRAMME OU IïïFOEMATÏOÏT AKD DOCUMENTATION'      ?
              Iff SCIENCE AIID TAUTOLOGY FOR THE 1975-197? PERIOD
                                   BUDGETARY PM
The management of soientifio–technical and social-economic information
resources at the European level will enter a new, more active phase from
1975 on *     Considerably higher amounts will be required to achieve the tasks
of the Commission and whioh are part of an overall set up submitted to
CIDST .
The following .btkLgetaiy proposals are centered around three main orienta­
tions defined by the Council of Ministers *).
1 ) The first is related to the rapid setting up of sectoral information
      systems , some being implemented, some being studied * These sectoral
      systems will require appropriation of 905*000 a.u. for 1975 ? this
      amount does not comprise the amounts required for the operation of
      existing systems , whioh will be financed by renewal of the 1974 budget
      ( e.g. 420,000 a«u. in 1975 )*                     >
2 ) The second group of tasks is related to the progressive establishment of
      the European information network , whioh the Commission will undertake in
      close oooperation with the authorities of the member countries , The
      budget proposed for 1975 comprises preparatory studies , feasibility
    . studies , pilot tests and the preparation of an outline of the software
   . required for network management .
*) – Resolution dated 24 »6 . 1971 on the European network         v
      – Resolution dated 24.6.1971 on metallurgy documentation
      – Action programme for envircnmental protection ( 22.11.1973 )
      – Draft regulation on agricultural research
 ---pagebreak---                                       48
    By the end of 1975 and during 1976 and 1977 * the development of the
    network will continue "by the adaptation of on–line and the conversions
    of off-line facilities .
    The 1975 budget proposals comprise 1,040,000 a.u. for these tasks , "but
    considerably higher amounts will obviously be required in 1976 and 1977 •
    On the Community level , the objectives are to ensure a flexible overall
    coordination of activities which guarantiees access to the network under
    equal conditions for all users in the Community and to promote harmonized
    tarification praotices .
3 ) At the same time the Community will have to make a vigorous effort
    developing modem techniques for scientific-technical information trans­
    fer and of solving specifically European problems such as the language
    barrier ; the tasks of this category also include an effort for the
    training of specialists and the eduoation of users . It is also envisaged
    to entrust the Ispra Centre with a certain amount of advanced research .
    This development effort requires appropriation of 805,000 a.u . for 1975 »
                                      ***
The financing mode will neoessarily vary as a function of the content and
the importance of each project or programme . In most cases it is envisaged
to use matching funds or subventions , e.g. for the conversion or Community-
wide extension of existing services . In other cases study and development
contracts will be concluded with companies and institutions of the member
oountries .
 ---pagebreak---                                                   49
                                                     I
                                                      I
                                                      I □3udget  proposais   1*2. 1000 afu 3 )   j
                                                            1975        1976
J     Ifem Orientations                                                              1977
i                    ■
jl7 IS3T Systems                                             905     !j 1006     j , 1165      ^
r                      - -     .
                                                                      f
                                                                             „_L                J
  2 » The informât! en network                       l
                                                     ii
                                                        i   1040 j| 2430
                                                                    1
                                                                                     3060
  3 . Studies of methodology and                                    i             I
      information technology                                 805    !    870    jI    950
                                                                                I
              ».                   - - - -      ■- '
                                 Total s            j       2750   j1   4306         5175
                                                     I
                                                     iL   .                     »
  P.cirarks :
  1 • The operation of the nuclear and metallurgical information systems
      (ENDS and SDIM) vail be financed "by renewal of the 1974 "budget appro­
      priations of the Commission#         They are cited in the following table for
      the sake of completeness only ( p»m »)»
  2 • The creation and operation of the information system on agricultural
      research projects will be financed by the DG VI (Agriculture ) on amounts
      foreseen in the framework of a council's deoision on agricultural research .
      It is also cited for completeness only#
  3 , The Study of other problems likely to arise in the coming years , the cost
      of which is still impossible to foresee in detail , is covered by a global
      amount of 300,000 a»u » under item 3«
                                                  1
 ---pagebreak---                                          50
                               DETAILED FJDC-ET PROPOS/ILS
                                                1975         1976    1977
                                                ( in thousands a»u«)
1.   STID SYSTEMS                                 905        1006    1165
1.1 Existing Systems : EÏÏDS and . SDIM         P*M#         P.M.    P«Mi
1.2 systems being implemented , including
     EUR-AGRIS-I, AMIS and Environment            385         361     330
1»3 Systems "being prepared, including
     documentation for Veterinary medi–
     oine ; tropical agriculture }
     agricultural literature in diffi­            220         245     335
     cult languages ? bio»«nedical infor­
     mation ; education
1.4 Data banks , inoluding data "banks
   : on materials properties ; on social–       P.M.         P.M.    P.M.
     economio information
1.5 Studies of future systems , includ­
     ing systems covering research &
     development in energy production ;         P.M,         P.M.    P.M.
     modern transport technology; food
     technology; water resources ; infor­
     mation and library activities ;
     current researoh projects ; scienoe
     policy, eto »
1.6 Provision of prooessing facilities
     for documentation purposes in
     order to enable the Community                300         400     500
     Institutions to play their role in
     the European information network
 ---pagebreak---                                              51
                                                    1975          i  1976   .
                                                    ( in thousands a.u .) j     | 1977
2.   THE PIFORMA.TIQN' NETWORK                    | 1040
                                                  <
                                                                     2430       |   3060
2#1 Preparatory sttidies to provide a
     "basis for the planning and deve­
      lopment of the information network              240             150             80
     for example s
     compilation of en inventors'- of
     information resources and associz>»
     ted studies on overlap arid gaps
     between services } evaluation of
     resources & services ;
     economic evaluation of the various
     options for information networks ;
     market studies designed to identify ;
     users and their needs#
2.2 Feasibility studies and pilot
     projeots oormected with the plann­
     ing of the coomnunication network ,              300           . 230 ,           60
     f or examples
     specification of hardware and
     software identification and speci­
     fication of the standards for
     user/systom interaction#
2 #3 Creation of the communications                                                     /
     network#
     for example :                                    280             610            600
     development of software of modific–
     cation of suitable - existing soft­
     ware ;
     progressive installation of appro­
     priate hardware facilities ;
     leasing of lines ( initially for                             i
     experiments )                              I
                                                i
                                                I
2 #4 Network management studies ,               I
     for examples                               !      50             110            120
     study of the problems involved in          f
     managing the information network ;
     establishment and operation of a                                           ι
     suitable management structure#                                             I -
2#5 Assistance to certain information
     systems ( existing or under creation)
     in order to make them compatible                 170            1330           2200
     with the European network and able-
     to serve the real and different
"    needs of ■ th® users . in. the. countries
     of the Community#                                            i           ;
                                                                              1
                                                        ■ III ■ II
 ---pagebreak---                                          52
                                             1975     !     1976    'I 1977
                                             ( in thousands a.u »)
                                                                     i
3.  STUDIES QP METHGDOLOGT
    JdW^miMî&^mfoLOGr                          805 . !       870
                                                                     f
                                                                        950
3.1 Study and development of suitable
    multilingual systems#
    for example :
    économies and effectiveness of
    différent methods .                        200           190        170
3.2 Work connected with the establish­
    ment of suitable standards for
    the information network .
    for èxamplet
    formats for the exchange of infor­
    mation and messages ;
    citation, of "bibliographic referen­
    ces ;
    indexing languages and classificat­
    ions .                                     130           130        130
3.3 Information analysis centres .
    Survey of operational modes and
    of arising needs .                       P.M.           P.M.       P.M.
3*4 Education and traxmng.
    for examples
    promotion of user education ;
    training of information special-
    lists .                                      75          150 ,      250
3.5 Development of information techno­
    logy*           ,     ■     -
    for examples                          !    ■
                                          I­
    study of file structures adapted,
    to network operations ;           J
    study of available software .            • 100       ■   100        100
3.6 Surveys and studies .
    for exaciple s   ■
    feasibility and development stu«*
    dies as , the need for them arises .       300         . 300   ;    300
 ---pagebreak---                                       53
                                                         ANNEX 4
                              0 PI N I 0 N
     of the Scientific and Technical Research Committee ( CREST )
     on the initial plan of action on scientific and technical
                  information and documentation ( STID )
                        for the period 1975-1977
The Scientific and Technical Research Committee ( CREST ), •
Having regard to the Council Resolutions of 24 June 1971 and
1 /1 January 1 97 4 *
Conscious of the rapid developments which have occurred in the
field of scientific and technical information and documentation
since 1971 ,
Taking account of the Opinion of the Scientific and Technical
Information and Documentation Committee ( STIDC ) on the plan of
action on scientific and technical information and documentation
proposed by the Commission ,
Taking account of its discussions on 22 May , 24 June and
11 July 1974 ,                                .     *
Regards the scientific and technical content of the Commission
proposal ? as valid and considers that urgent action should be
undertaken by the Community in this sector , taking full account
of the interests of users ,
Recommends to the Commission that it propose an initial three - ,
year plan of action along these lines to the Council together
with an estimate of the appropriations and staff required to
implement it ,
R/20f 7 e /74 ( RECH 12 ) nan/COD/amro                        • ♦ ♦/ • ♦ •
 ---pagebreak---                                          54
Recommends to the Commission that m drafting its proposals it
take account of the work done by the national centres and of
other European activities , that it study the possibility of
carrying out certain projects by concerted action and , finally ,
that it take account of the Resolutions of 24 June 1971 and
14 January 1974 with regard to the association of third countries ,
Considers that the Council decision on the three-year plan should
involve provision in the Community budget for 1975 for expenditure
in the order of 1.84 MUA ,
Desires the plan of action to be implemented by the Commission
in clore co-operation with the CREST and the STIDC , these
Committees being kerct regularly informed of progress ,
Considers that the amounts envisaged for 1976-1977 are only an
indication of the trends expected in the progress of the
programme .  At all events the STIDC and the CREST should deliver
 an opinion annually on the budgetary implications of the future
 progress of the plan of action ,
 Recommends to the STIDC that it examine more closely the
 proposals on aid for the conversion of the existing services for
 which no financial t estimate has been made for 1976 and 1977 ( see
 Annex to the Annex ), particularly from the twofold angle of co­
 ordinating and concerting work in the national centres ,
Has decided to send this Opinion to the Commission and to the
Council •
R/2087 e /74 ( RECH 12 ) ( ANNEX ) nan/COD/ajnm
 ---pagebreak---                                    55
                                                          Annex
                                                       to the ANNEX 4
                    ,■  BUDGETARY PLAN
              regarding Scientific and Technical
             Information and Documentation ( STID )
                   for 1975 and 1976 - 1977
       At its meetings oji 24 June and 11 and 12 July 1974 , the
CREST examined the STID budgetary plan proposed jointly by
the Commission and the STIDC /"see particularly CREST/21 /74
+ Add , 1 J•
       Further to this examination , delegations will find
attached :
( 1 ) an STID budgetary plan for 1975 containing the amounts
      proposed by the STIDC and those recommended by the CREST ;
( 2 ) an overall estimate of expenditure for 1976 and 1977#
R/2087 e/74 ( RECH 12 ) nan/COD/rjca
 ---pagebreak---                                                    56
1 . STID BUDGETARY PLAN FOR 1 975
                                                        ( in thousands of UA )
                                                       Amount                      Amount
                                                       proposed by                 recommended
                                                        the CREST                  by the CREST
     i
                                                      » –• – M M M» M «M «M – _ H
                                                                                 i
                                                                                 I
       CHAPTER I
    I Scientific and technical information and                                   i
    j documentation systems
                                              TOTAL              905                     550
       1,1 . Existing systems : ENDS and SMDI                    p.m .                  p.m .      |
       1.2 . Systems being implemented , including
             AGRIS-I , AMIS and Environment                      385                   250
       1.3 . Systems being prepared , including
             documentation for Veterinary medi­
             cine ; Tropical agriculture ; agri­
             cultural literature in difficult
             languages ; bio-medical information ;
             education                                           220                    100
       1.4 * Data banks , including data banks
             on materials properties ; social-
             economic information                                p.m .                  P.m #
                                                                                 I
       1.5 . Studies of future systems , includ­
             ing systems covering research and
             development in energy production ;
             modern transport technology ; food
             technology ; water resources ; inform­
             ation and library activities ;
             research projects ; science policy ,
             etc .                                               P.m .                  p.m .
       1.6 . Provision of processing facilities
             for documentation purposes in
             order to enable the Community
             Institutions to play their role in
             the European information network                   300                    200
                                                                                                 i
                                                                                                 I
                                                                                                 i
                                                                                                 il
       R/2087 e/74 ( RECH 12 ) ( Annex to the ANNEX ) nan/COD/jcs                          .../.*.
 ---pagebreak---                                                57
                                                           ( in thousands of UA )
                                                           Amount     Amount
                                                           Proposed   Recommended
                                                           by the     by the
                                                           STIDC      CREST
      CHAPTER 2                                          F
      The information network'                     TOTAL      1 , 040    660      J
      2.1 , Preparatory studies to provide a basis for   r
             the planning and development of the
             information network .
             For example : compilation of an inventory
             of information resources and associated
             studies on overlap and gaps between
             services ; évaluation of resources and
             services ; économie évaluation of the
            various options for information networks ;
            market studies designed to identify users
            and their needs                                       240    13?
     2.2 . Feasibility studies and pilot projects
            connected with the planning of the
             communication network .
            For example : specification of hardware
            and software identification and
            speemeation of the standards for
            user/system interaction                               300    140
     2.3 . Creation of the communications network .
            For example : development of software
            or modification of suitable existing
   I        software ; progressive installation of
            approximate hardware facilities ; leasing
            of lines ( initially as an experiment )              280     200
     2.4 . Network management studies .
         • For example : study of the problems
            mvolved in managing the information
            network ; establishment and opération
            of a suitable management structure                     50     50
     2.5 . Assistance to certain information
            Systems ( existing or being created )
            m order to make them compatible
           with the European network and able
           to serve the real and différent needs
            of the users in the countries of the
 |          Community                                            170     150
H/2087 e/74 ( RECH 12 ) ( Annex to the ANTfEX) nay/COD/em
 ---pagebreak---                                                58
                                                      Amount      Amount
               r
                                                      Proposed    Recommended
                                                      by the      by the
                                                      STIDC       CREST
  CHAPTER 3
  Studies on methodology and                              805            630  I
  information technology                      TOTAL
  3.1 . Study and development • of suitable
        multilingual systems .
         For example : économies and effeotiveness
         of différent methods                             200             80
                                                                i
  3.2 . Work connected with The establishment
         of suitable standards for the
         information network .              1
        For example : formats for the exchange
         of information and messages ; citation .
        of bibliographic references ; indexing
        languages and classifications                     130           100
  3.3 * Information analysis centres .
        Survey of operational modes and of
        arising needs .                                   p«m .         p.m .
 3.4# Education and training .
        For example : promotion of the
        education of users ; training of
        information specialists .                          75             75
 3.5 . Development of information technology .
        For example : study of file structures
        adapted to network operations ; study
        of available software                             100             75
 3.6 . Surveys and studies .
        For example : feasibility and develop­
        ment studies as the need for them
        arises .                                          300           200
                           GRAND TOTAL                  2,750       1 , 840
R/2087 e/74 ( RECH 12 ) ( Annex to the ANNEX) nay/COD/em
 ---pagebreak--- 4
                                          59
   2 . TOTAL ESTIMATES OF STTD EXPENDITURE FOR 1976 AND 1977
                 As regards the financial years 197^" and 1977 , there
      . are grounds for envisaging a total expenditure for each
         of these three chapters of 2 , 3 and 2.5 MUA respectively ,
         given that these figures are only an indication and that
         they exclude in both cases conversion expenditure which
        was initially anticipated in item 2.5 . All figures are
        given at today 's monetary value , without making any
        allowance for inflation#
                 The estimates for 1976 and 1977 have been drawn up
        taking into account , in particular , the following points :
         ( 1 ) The transition to the operational stage of the Euronet
               network will require the preliminary development of
               interface software at "the terminal level , as well as
               the completion of a certain number of pilot tests .
        ( 2 ) It was thought possible in 1975 to reduce expenditure on ,
               sectoral STID systems . However , from 1976 , one must
               anticipate the setting up of some new sectoral systems
               and expect a measure of support for the industrial
               information systems .
        ( 3 ) As far as information technology and methodology are
               concerned , expenditure for 1976 and 1977 has been
               maintained at the 1975 level , with the exception , however ,
               of higher amounts being earmarked for the training of
               specialists and the education of users following the
               unanimous recommendation of STIDC members .
                To sum up , the provisional estimates overall show an
       increase of a little more than 30# between 1975 and 1976 ,
      but a very much lesser rate of increase as from 1977 *
  R/2087 e/74 ( RECH 12 ) ( Annex to the ANNEX) nay/COD/ gwh