CODIB PROPOSAL FOR FOREIGN PUBLICATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01139A000300030021-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 4, 2002
• Sequence Number: 21
• Publication Date: August 24, 1966
• Content Type: MF

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24 August 1966
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, OCR
SUBJECT: CODIB Proposal for Foreign Publications Subcommittee
REFERENCE: CODIB-D-111/1.3/6, 18 August 1966
1. As the CIA member of CODIB, you may wish to consider my comments
on the referenced paper, which is planned for discussion at the 29 August
meeting of CODIB.
2. Reading this paper, one gets the impression that outside of the very minor
role of acquiring foreign publications, the only thing that happens to them is that
they are "exploited." The approach is unrealistic. Overlooked, among others,
is the emphasis CIA is placing on foreign language competence, spreading the
capability of researchers to use original source material; ignored is the vital
role that libraries play in acquiring (except in CIA), cataloging, circulating,
offering reference service from and selecting foreign putlications, etc. It is to
be hoped that the error in not having any librarians present during the deliberations
of the Subcommittee preparing this paper will be rectified in CODIB, which has
several library-trained members. They should be heard in order to avoid presenting
such an imbalanced paper to USIB.
3. The Library of Congress joins other libraries in getting the "silent
treatment" in the presentation. Yet it seems most appropriate to consider LC from
at least two points of view: a) its greatly expanded acquisition program recently
approved by the U. S. Congress, whereby the major publications of most countries
will be procured on a world-wide basis (where feasible, tieing in to the national
bibliography publication schemes, ); and b) its 25X1A
automation program which will eventually provide not only a computerized retrieval
system for the publications received but also the capability to provide list-outs in
many, varied arrangements.
4. For the CODIB Comment on the Report (pages 4 & 5) which discusses the
constitution and duties of the Foreign Publications Committee, it is suggested
that library representation be specifically incorporated, including the Library of
Congress. The title, Foreign Publications Committee, is broad enough to and
should cover much more than merely acquisition and exploitation. I wonder also
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whether some reference to a possible tie-in with COSATI might not be appropriate.
I am concerned lest this CODIB subcommittee have responsibilities duplicative of
existing groups, whether or not under the permissive umbrella of "intelligence."
5. If the paper is not completely re-written to incorporate some of the ideas
expressed above, as well as others, I suggest that at least Section D, recommen-
dations, pages 5 and 6, be carefully reviewed. Specifically, recommendations
1-3 should include emphasis on the retrievability of foreign publications; No. 4
is not pertinent to USIB for consideration--it is a method that the Subcommittee
should act upon; No. 5 should include specific mention of the distribution of
appropriate material to the non-intelligence community; No. 6 should emphasize
the fact that all exploitation data be compatible so that it can be put into retrieval
systems as needed; and No. 7 should be reviewed further by both reference
librarians and research personnel to see if they really require the proposed
publications.
6. The one positive element in the reference paper that appeals to me is the
disappearance of the "foreign document" concept. This is good, and long overdue.
Now if we can only eliminate the use of "exploitation" with all of its unpleasant
connotations, we will really be making progress. "Content analysis" would be
much more dignified. Again, however, there are many others in the whole field
of the processing .of foreign publications who have much to offer, should be
consulted--yes, even exploited.
25X1A
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