224 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1962 



vestigators about who is currently working on problems in their 

 special fields. Funds for the operation of the Science Information 

 Exchange were provided by the principal Federal agencies served. 



This year the Exchange was reorganized and expanded to under- 

 take the registration of research in the physical sciences in addition to 

 the established program in the biological, medical, and social sciences. 

 This expansion, projected over 18 months, involves the reorganization 

 of the Exchange, the acquisition of enlarged computer facilities, a 

 professional staff for the new physical sciences division, and a pro- 

 gram for a systems analysis and control intended to coordinate effi- 

 ciently the complex operational procedures. 



The new physical sciences division is being organized around an 

 initial collection of basic and applied research records in the fields of 

 chemistry, physics, mathematics, earth sciences, materials, and elec- 

 tronics. Five specialists now form the nucleus of this staff. About 

 4,000 projects have been registered. The acquisition of another 3,000 

 to 4,000 records over the next few months will afford a fairly repre- 

 sentative sample of Government research in these research specialties. 



Tlie life sciences division has had 12 years of successful operation 

 in biology, medicine, psychology, and social sciences and continues to 

 expand the scope and volume of its collection and services at a healthy 

 rate. About 56,000 records of research proposals, awards, and con- 

 tracts were received this year. About half a million copies of re- 

 search records were selected and sent out in response to requests for 

 information. Five new staff members were added to this division 

 during the year. 



Dr. Stella Leche Deignan resigned as director of the Exchange in 

 September to take a position with the National Institutes of Health. 

 Dr. Monroe E. Freeman was appointed director to succeed her. Dr. 

 David Hersey became associate director for the life sciences division. 

 Harvey Marron was appointed assistant director for operations. 



SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM SERVICE 



The Smithsonian Museum Service, through appropriate educational 

 media, interprets to museum visitors and to the general public the 

 objects, specimens, and exhibits in the several Smithsonian museums 

 and develops interpretative and educational material relatmg to the 

 work of the Institution in the fields of science, natural history, art, 

 and history. The Museum Service also cooperates with the volunteer 

 docents of the Junior League of Washington, D.C. A more complete 

 report of this activity, directed by G. Carroll Lindsay, curator, is 

 carried in the Report on the U.S. National Museum (pp. 38-40). 



The Museum Service provided assistance to professional groups and 

 individuals visiting the museums of the Institution or planning to 



