THE UNIVERSE OF INFORMATION.pdf - ideals

Otlet had begun to study the problem of the statistics of printing
rather closely not long after Funck-Brentano had taken
exception to the figures he had projected for the size of a
complete RBU. How could one arrive at reliable statistics, and
what, tentatively, might they be? These were questions occupying
him in 1896. 87 In order to encourage the continuing study
of these questions, he took them up again in 1900. An important
result of such a study for him still remained an accurate
prediction of the size of the RBU, but he also observed that
such a study would have wider implications. «The intellectual,
economic and social function of the book can be made the
object of statistical data as precise and various as any other
factor of our civilisation*. 88 It would be possible, he believed,
to define exact and comparable measures relating to the «creation
of the book by writers and scholars, its reproduction in
multiple copies by the powerful machinery of the modern
printing industry, its distribution and extended use, thanks to
the degree of perfection found in the commercial booktrade and
in the organisation of libraries». 89 He suggested as a draft resolution
for the Conference's consideration:
The congress votes to see published general statistics of printing,
summarising, coordinating and completing the fragmentary statistics
published until now. To this effect it is desirable that all bibliographic
publications and particularly official bibliographies provide a supplement
giving a statistical summary of the facts in the bibliographical
area that the publications embrace. In order to establish these
statistics, it is desirable to see adopted the same categories in a manner
to facilitate comparisons. 90
This was adopted with some modifications. 91
The Conference also adopted as a good statement of the
matter, Otlet's resolution setting out the nature of the various
kinds of bibliographies and their relation to one another.
A number of other resolutions were taken and the Conference
closed with a reception at Prince Roland Bonaparte's palace.
Otlet and La Fontaine arranged for part of the RBU
which had been steadily growing in Brussels to be exhibited
at the Exposition. Representative sections of the constituent
repertories containing over two million cards were set up for
the duration of the exposition in the Grande Salle des Congres,
together with charts and tables illustrating the problems
to the solution of which the Institute was dedicated. Bibliographical
accessories which the OIB was producing or
which could be had through its agency were displayed and a
catalog of them made freely available. 92 Otlet and La Fontaine
were constantly on hand to answer questions, offer explanations,
guide discussions, and lecture. Thousands trooped
through the Grande Salle and stopped to examine the exhibition.
Most were scholars attending one or more of the conferences
of the Exposition. The Institute was awarded, a Grand
77