Ir. H. L. ROGGE,
M. J. ROBERTS, ALA,
Technical Information for Surveyors1)
1. Information Services
1.1 Introduction
1.1.1 Change is a characteristic of our society. Research is
constantly bringing to light new methods, new materials, and
new tools. The frontiers of knowledge are continually being ex
tended, as is our ability to control events. Attempts by governments
to make a reality of the concept of a planned economy bring into
being numerous restrictions on the activities of individuals, and
incentives for individuals to act in accordance with certain national
objectives. Surveyors cannot afford to neglect any of these factors
and of course they do not.
1.1.2 Every day in every office, specific pieces of information
are required, such as names of institutes or officials, addresses,
telephone numbers, professional or research organisations. At
the professional level, it is necessary to check technical practices,
points of law, previous valuations, catalogues, etc., and before
undertaking work in a new field of activity (new either in the sense
of being of a different type to that previously undertaken, or because
it involves intensive study of a new area) the most pertinent pub
lished information has to be located without extensive research.
ï.i.3 To meet his information needs, the surveyor attends
professional meetings, establishes contact with professional people
outside his own institute or firm, subscribes to a number of period
icals, and purchases books, Acts and Regulations, and other papers.
An individual who adopts such a policy may consider that his
information needs are well served A little thought will, however,
reveal some serious deficiencies. Subscribing to journals is one thing,
exploiting them to yield information of value is another. Infor
mation not immediately useful, but likely to be useful in the future,
must be noted and stored in such a way that it can be found again
when required. Busy men may skimp their reading and miss
articles of importance, or may not think of drawing the attention
of their colleagues to information which may be of use to them.
Similarly, a surveyor will probably buy a copy of a new piece of
legislation affecting his work immediately it is published. He
will, however, be exceptionally assiduous if he keeps a constant
watch on regulations which modify its operation.
Secretary to Commission 3 of the F.I.G.
Librarian of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
1) Rapport ingediend t.b.v. Commissie 3 van de F.I.G. voor het in sep
tember 1968 te Londen gehouden congres.
