The International Federation for Information and Documentation (FID) was a global organization dedicated to advancing the field of information science and documentation. Established in 1895 in Brussels by pioneers Paul Otlet and Henri La Fontaine, the FID was initially known as the International Institute of Bibliography (IIB). Its primary objective was to facilitate the collection, organization, and dissemination of information to support research, education, and professional development.
One of FID’s most notable contributions was the development and promotion of the Universal Decimal Classification (UDC), a revolutionary bibliographic tool that provided a flexible and scalable system for organizing knowledge across diverse disciplines. Over its operational years, FID became a hub for collaboration among librarians, information professionals, and documentation experts, hosting international conferences, publishing influential research, and fostering innovation in information retrieval and management.
Despite its significant impact on the information community, the FID faced challenges in adapting to the rapidly changing digital landscape and ceased operations in 2002. Nevertheless, its legacy endures, particularly through the continued use of the UDC and its influence on modern information science practices. The FID remains a historical landmark in the evolution of global knowledge management and information organization.
What is the International Federation for Information and Documentation (FID)?
The International Federation for Information and Documentation (FID) was a prominent international organization dedicated to advancing the field of information science and documentation. Established in 1895 in Brussels by visionaries Paul Otlet and Henri La Fontaine, the organization was initially known as the International Institute of Bibliography (IIB). Its primary mission was to develop innovative methods for organizing, classifying, and disseminating knowledge to meet the growing demands of researchers, educators, and professionals in an increasingly information-rich world. One of its most significant contributions was the creation and promotion of the Universal Decimal Classification (UDC), a groundbreaking tool for organizing information across disciplines and languages. Throughout its history, the FID served as a hub for international collaboration, hosting conferences, publishing research, and fostering the exchange of ideas among librarians, archivists, and documentation experts. Despite its profound impact on the development of information science, the organization struggled to adapt to the rapidly evolving digital landscape and ceased operations in 2002. Nevertheless, the FID’s legacy endures, particularly through the continued use of the UDC and its foundational influence on modern practices in knowledge organization and management.
What Were the Primary Goals and Objectives of the International Federation for Information and Documentation (FID) When It Was Established?
The International Federation for Information and Documentation (FID), originally founded in 1895 as the International Institute of Bibliography (IIB), was a trailblazing organization in the realm of information science and documentation. Established in Brussels by visionaries Paul Otlet and Henri La Fontaine, the organization aimed to address the growing complexities of organizing, classifying, and disseminating knowledge in an era of rapid industrial and academic advancements. The FID was driven by a mission to create a global system for information management and access. Its primary goals and objectives were both visionary and ambitious, aiming to revolutionize how knowledge was organized, accessed, and shared.
- Universal Knowledge Organization: One of the foremost goals of the FID was to develop a systematic method for organizing the world’s knowledge. This ambition stemmed from the recognition of the exponential growth of information and the pressing need for a universal framework to manage it. The cornerstone of this effort was the development of the Universal Decimal Classification (UDC), a groundbreaking bibliographic and classification system that allowed information to be organized hierarchically and accessed efficiently. The UDC remains one of the FID’s most enduring contributions, facilitating knowledge organization across disciplines and languages.
- Facilitating Information Access: The FID was established to ensure that information could be easily accessed and utilized by researchers, educators, and professionals worldwide. This objective was rooted in the belief that knowledge should transcend geographical, linguistic, and disciplinary boundaries. By standardizing methods for cataloging, indexing, and retrieving information, the FID aimed to make vast repositories of knowledge accessible to anyone, regardless of their location or expertise.
- International Collaboration: The founders of the FID recognized that the challenges of knowledge organization and dissemination could only be effectively addressed through global cooperation. As a result, the organization served as a platform for bringing together librarians, archivists, researchers, and other information professionals from across the globe. By fostering dialogue, sharing best practices, and encouraging innovation, the FID sought to build a cohesive international community dedicated to advancing the field of information science.
- Promotion of Standardized Documentation Practices: At its core, the FID was committed to improving the methods and techniques used in documentation. This included establishing standards for bibliographic recording, indexing, cataloging, and information retrieval. By promoting these standards, the organization aimed to ensure consistency and efficiency in the management of information resources. These practices enhanced the usability of information and laid the groundwork for the development of modern library and information science.
- Support for Research and Development: The FID placed a strong emphasis on fostering research and innovation in the field of documentation and information science. It encouraged the development of new tools, systems, and technologies that could revolutionize how information was managed and disseminated. By supporting research initiatives and publishing findings, the FID sought to remain at the forefront of advancements in the information domain.
- Knowledge Dissemination and Public Awareness: Another key objective of the FID was to serve as a conduit for the dissemination of knowledge and to raise awareness about the importance of documentation and information science. Through conferences, publications, and training programs, the organization aimed to educate professionals and the public about best practices and emerging trends in the field. This commitment to knowledge sharing helped establish the FID as a thought leader in information management.
The primary goals and objectives of the International Federation for Information and Documentation (FID) were visionary for its time. By prioritizing universal knowledge organization, fostering international collaboration, promoting standardized practices, and supporting research, the FID laid the foundation for modern information science. While the organization ceased operations in 2002, its legacy endures in the tools, systems, and principles it developed. The FID’s contributions continue to influence the ways we organize, access, and utilize information in today’s interconnected and information-rich world.
When and Where Was the FID Founded, and Who Were Its Founding Members?
The International Federation for Information and Documentation (FID), originally established as the International Institute of Bibliography (IIB), was founded in 1895 in Brussels, Belgium. The organization emerged during a time of rapid scientific and industrial advancement when the growing volume of global knowledge necessitated innovative methods for its organization and dissemination. The FID became a pioneering force in the development of information science, laying the groundwork for many modern systems of knowledge management.
Historical Context of the FID’s Founding
The late 19th century witnessed an explosion in scientific discoveries, publications, and technological innovations. This period, often referred to as the Second Industrial Revolution, saw a corresponding increase in the demand for organized and accessible information. Libraries, archives, and researchers faced significant challenges in keeping pace with the sheer volume of publications. It was against this backdrop that the FID was conceived as a solution to unify and streamline knowledge organization at a global level.
Founding Members: Paul Otlet and Henri La Fontaine
The FID was co-founded by two Belgian visionaries, Paul Otlet and Henri La Fontaine, whose collaborative efforts were instrumental in the organization’s establishment and early successes.
Paul Otlet (1868–1944): Paul Otlet was a lawyer, author, and visionary whose work earned him the title of the “father of information science.” Otlet had a profound interest in the organization of knowledge and believed that information should be universally accessible. He was instrumental in developing the Universal Decimal Classification (UDC), a system that revolutionized how information was categorized and retrieved. Otlet’s vision extended beyond bibliographic tools; he imagined a global network of interconnected knowledge, an idea that has been likened to an early concept of the internet.
Henri La Fontaine (1854–1943): Henri La Fontaine was a lawyer, senator, and advocate for peace, earning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1913 for his work with the International Peace Bureau. A collaborator and close ally of Otlet, La Fontaine shared the belief that knowledge dissemination was key to fostering international cooperation and understanding. Together, they envisioned the IIB as a platform to organize and democratize access to global knowledge.
Goals at Inception
When Otlet and La Fontaine founded the IIB, their goals were ambitious and forward-thinking:
- To create a universal bibliography that could catalog and classify all existing knowledge.
- To develop tools and systems for the organization of information, such as the UDC.
- To promote international collaboration among librarians, archivists, and scholars.
- To ensure that knowledge became a universal resource, accessible to everyone regardless of geographical or disciplinary boundaries.
Legacy of the Founding Members
Under the guidance of Otlet and La Fontaine, the organization made significant strides in the field of information science. Their pioneering efforts in knowledge organization have had a lasting impact on how information is managed and shared today. The Universal Decimal Classification, one of their most notable contributions, continues to be used worldwide in libraries and information centers.
Although the FID ceased operations in 2002 due to challenges in adapting to the digital age, the foundational work of its co-founders remains highly influential. Otlet’s vision of a global knowledge network and La Fontaine’s dedication to international cooperation resonate in the digital information systems and collaborative platforms of today.
The Role of the International Federation for Information and Documentation (FID) in the Development of Information Science and Documentation
The International Federation for Information and Documentation (FID) was crucial in establishing information science and documentation as formal disciplines. Founded in 1895 as the International Institute of Bibliography (IIB), the FID was at the forefront of addressing the growing need for organizing, managing, and disseminating information in an increasingly knowledge-driven world. A cornerstone of its contributions was the development of the Universal Decimal Classification (UDC), an advanced system for knowledge organization that revolutionized how information was classified and retrieved. This innovation provided a structured framework that influenced libraries, archives, and research institutions worldwide.
The FID also championed the standardization of documentation practices, promoting uniform methods for cataloging, indexing, and abstracting information. This standardization facilitated the seamless exchange of knowledge across national and institutional boundaries, making information more accessible to a global audience. Furthermore, through its conferences, publications, and workshops, the FID created platforms for international collaboration among scholars, librarians, and information professionals, fostering interdisciplinary approaches and advancing theoretical research in information science.
The organization’s role in integrating emerging technologies into documentation practices was another significant contribution. By exploring and advocating for mechanized indexing and early information retrieval systems, the FID bridged traditional bibliographic methods with modern technological advancements, laying the groundwork for today’s digital information systems. Its emphasis on professionalizing the field also led to the establishment of training programs and educational curricula in library and information science.
While the FID ceased operations in 2002, its legacy continues to shape modern information science and documentation. The principles it established—universal access to knowledge, systematic organization, and collaborative innovation—remain fundamental to how information is managed and shared in the digital age.
Reference Articles:
- Bates, M. J., & Maack, M. N. (Eds.). (2009). International Federation for Information and Documentation (FID) (0 ed., pp. 2895–2897). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1081/E-ELIS3-120008514
- Collection: International Federation for Information and Documentation (FID) records | Archival Collections. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://archives.lib.umd.edu/repositories/2/resources/1320
- FID – the International Federation for Information and Documentation. (1994). Information Development. https://doi.org/10.1177/026666699401000314
- Harte, R. A. (1967). International Federation for Documentation. ALA Bulletin, 61(8), 986–988.
- Horton, F. W. (2009). International Federation for Information and Documentation (FID). In Encyclopedia of Library and Information Sciences (3rd ed.). CRC Press.
- INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION FOR DOCUMENTA‐TION. (1952). Aslib Proceedings, 4(1), 43–55. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb049428
- International Federation for Information and Documentation | library science, archiving, preservation | Britannica. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/International-Federation-for-Information-and-Documentation
- International Institute of Bibliography | institution, Brussels, Belgium | Britannica. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://www.britannica.com/place/International-Institute-of-Bibliography
- Rayward, W. (1994). International Federation for Information and Documentation (FID) (pp. 290–294).