THE UNIVERSE OF INFORMATION.pdf - ideals

One of them was the future role of the IIB, and La Fontaine
represented the IIB at the Sub-Committee's deliberations which
were held in the Palais Mondial itself. The Sub-Committee
resolved
...that the important pioneer work accomplished by the International
Institute of Bibliography in the domain of international bibliography,
should be used as much as possible ...; the Sub-Committee, ...
considering the services which a universal repertory... would provide;
considering that it would be premature at the moment to propose a
single system of classification, also premature to attempt to establish
a Universal Bibliography by subject; considering that it is possible,
however, to establish by international agreement an alphabetic repertory
by author's names; considering that it is important that such an
enterprise be based on the results already obtained in this matter by
a great international institution... (resolves) ... 1) that the International
Institute of Bibliography should be chosen as the unique international
depot for the bibliography of works arranged alphabetically
by author's names; 2) that the International Committee on Intellectual
Co-operation should decide to study the means by which this organisation
can be achieved under the auspices of the League of Nations
with the agreement of appropriate national and international
associations and institutions. 28
These resolutions were adopted by the Committee when it met
at Geneva at the end of July, together with a further resolution
that central or national libraries should be encouraged to
send two free copies of their catalogs to the IIB, together
with two copies of any supplements.
Otlet now conceived another vast undertaking which reflected
his dissatisfaction with the League of Nations which had
not «achieved a desirable universality*, he declared.
Its functions have remained confined to a limited area; representation
at it is purely diplomatic without relation to parliaments, political parties,
and the great associations. The nations remain independent and
act as if there were no League of Nations. War continues to menace.
The uncertainties and troubles of the time show that the work of
reconstruction is merely an outline.
What was needed in Otlet's view was the assembly of a great
international convention to draw up «a world constitution
which could provide a real basis upon which Humanity can
move towards its future». «Every interest, every nuance of modern
thought» would need to be represented at this convention.
By way of preparation for it, the UIA would mount a vast
«enquiry-referendum» under the name Les Cahiers de la Paix.
These would be analagous to the material prepared by the
Deputies of the Estates-General in France at the time of the
French Revolution. In this material the French had expressed
their grievances and their wishes. «This», said Otlet, «is the
only way a new regime can succeed an old regime». The idea,
he stressed, had already received some support, and when the
material was collected it would be indexed and organised at
the UIA headquarters in the Palais Mondial in Brussels by a
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