The computerized scientific and technical information processing and dissemination in Bulgaria

Difficulties with distribution of scientific and technical information (STI) in the People's Republic of Bulgaria are described. The rapid increase in STI data bases has produced files of varying quality and completeness. Difficulty in obtaining copies of documents listed in these data bases, lack of information, notably nonbibliographic data bases, for industrial production rather than scientific specialists, and absence of abstracts reduce the usefulness of STI data bases. STI as a commercial product is expensive for a developing country, which is thus made information dependent, and participation in information systems may require duplicate entry of documents. The language barrier also decreases the use of STI. In spite of these problems CISTI is working to speed and expand its users' access to scientific and technical information.