Analysis and automated handling of technical information at the nuclear safety information center

Abstract

the nuclear community hy collecting, storing, evaluating, and disseminating safety information relevant, to the design and operation of nuclear facilities. In 1964, after about a year of operation, the information-handling system was computerized in order to increase broadly the scope of the Center's services and enable efficient functioning in the future. Computer programs were developed for the preparation of a bibliography, complete with key words and personal author indexes, that is issued quarterly and for a program of selective dissemination of information (SDI) that is produced on cards. These programs and other services of the Center are discussed.The USAEC established the Nuclear Safety Information Center (NSIC) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in March, 1963. The Center serves the nuclear community by collecting, storing, evaluating, and disseminating safety information relevant to the design and operation of nuclear facilities (1). It was in operation almost immediately after its establishment because the scientists and engineers necessary to the operation of a center, and without which an information center is hardly more than a specialized library, were already on the ORNL staff or available through existing consulting contracts.The subject of nuclear safety was divided into 19 categories, such as Accident Analysis, and technical personnel were assigned on fractional-time basis to study these categories, prepare review articles and reports, answer inquiries, and catalog information.

Information Scanning and Processing at the Nuclear Safety Information Center.

“…Computer programs have been developed that enable NSIC to (1) produce topical indexed bibliographies of its accessions (issued with ORNL-NSIC report numbers), (2) operate a routine program of Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) to individuals according to their particular profile of interest, and (3) make retrospective searches of the references stored on magnetic tapes at the computer facility.…”

“…Includes information related to (1) environmental and personnel monitoring during routine or accidental releases of radionuclides, (2) monitoring methods, and (3) measurements of external exposure to individuals or population groups in the immediate environs of nuclear facilities.…”