Establishing an in‐house documentation system and the role of the library as exemplified by the GSF Research Centre

The possibilities for creating an in‐house documentation system within a special library are described. The responsibilities assumed by a library at a large institution such as at the GSF Research Centre are also discussed. These days a library must make use of the wide range of modern information technology tools if it is to provide an optimal service for its users. Not only is it necessary to use automated systems for the library administration, but ideally information technology tools should be provided to the user to enable optimal handling of personal bibliographic data. This is even more essential for a special library. For this purpose, the GSF is acquiring database software which is available to scientific personnel for creating individual literature databases, as well as for serving librarians. The library supports its users with initial consultations, software training sessions and regular meetings. Additionally, the library offers assistance with the transfer of external electronic data (for example the results of online searches), with the selection of output formats, and a hot‐line. Thus, the library plays a central role regarding all issues of literature work using electronic data processing. The databases in the library, as well as databases from scientists at the GSF, which contain literature pertinent to the environment, are combined in one documentation system representing the comprehensive knowledge and resources within the GSF.