Information Science Pioneer
Garfield developed Current Contents, Science Citation Index and many other indexes in the sciences. He established the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) as an international information agency. Lilley & Trice call him a "creative genius in the realm of non-conventional information systems." Lilley-Trice cite the indexes as his principal contribution.
He developed the Rota Form Index which used the Hill formula index as output and processed it to as many outputs as the number of separated symbols for the production of Index Chemicus. Garfield published a paper on the Rota Form Index in 1963. He was associated with the discovery and pioneering of information science. He worked on a team with Sanford Larkey (librarian of the Welch Medical Library at Johns Hopkins), on an early automation project.
Since 1937, the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) has been the association for information professionals leading the search for new and better theories, techniques, and technologies to improve access to information.
ASIS&T brings together diverse streams of knowledge, focusing what might be disparate approaches into novel solutions to common problems. ASIS&T bridges the gaps not only between disciplines but also between the research that drives and the practices that sustain new developments.
ASIS&T counts among its membership some 4,000 information specialists from such fields as computer science, linguistics, management, librarianship, engineering, law, medicine, chemistry, and education; individuals who share a common interest in improving the ways society stores, retrieves, analyzes, manages, archives and disseminates information, coming together for mutual benefit.
Techniques and technologies emerge daily in the fields of library and information science, communications, networking and computer science. Yet information professionals in one discipline are often unaware of key developments in others. What an irony that a field advocating the development, sharing and use of information is itself isolated.
If you don't like working in isolation, examine what ASIS&T has to offer. This Web site will introduce you to ASIS&T and the ways it can make you a more effective information professional... and more indispensable to your company, institution or organization.
The Association seeks to stimulate participation and interaction among its members by affording them an environment for substantive professional exchange. It encourages and supports personal and professional growth through opportunities for members to extend their knowledge and skills, develop and use professional networks, pursue career development goals and assume leadership roles in the Association and in the information community. ASIS&T increases the influence of information professionals among decision-makers by focusing attention on the importance of information as a vital resource in a high-technology age and promotes informed policy on national and international information issues by contributing to the formation of those policies. It supports the advancement of the state-of-the art and practice by taking a leadership position in the advocacy of research and development in basic and applied information science.
To accomplish these goals, ASIS&T edits, publishes, and disseminates publications concerning research and development; convenes annual meetings providing a forum for papers, discussions, and major policy statements; ASIS&T hosted the first Information Architecture Summit and continues to do so annually, holds smaller chapter and special interest meetings, as well as special symposia; and acts as a sounding board for promotion of research and development and for the education of information professionals.
ASIS&T has existed for over 75 years and has members in over 50 countries worldwide.
Mission & Vision
The mission of the Association for Information Science and Technology is to advance the information sciences and related applications of information technology by providing focus, opportunity, and support to information professionals and organizations.
Establish a new information professionalism in a world where information is of central importance to personal, social, political, and economic progress by: Advancing knowledge about information, its creation, properties, and use; Providing analysis of ideas, practices, and technologies; Valuing theory, research, applications, and service; Nurturing new perspectives, interests, and ideas; Increasing public awareness of the information sciences and technologies and their benefits to society.
ASIS&T in Your Language
Have you wanted to tell your colleagues and friends about ASIS&T, but in another language? Now you can, with these multi-lingual brochures. Current languages are Chinese, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish and English. Translations into more languages coming soon.