FILING SYSTEMS : Any laboratory accumulates a vast amount of material that has to be arranged in such a way that any particular item can be found readily and easily. The need for an efficient system of information retrieval is often overlooked and neglected. Many people cannot see the need for an easily usable system. Let us consider some of the information that accumulates in a lab in order to assess the complexity of the problem.

(1) Correspondence and related materials

(2) Literature references

(3) Indexes for slide and film libraries, samples, general stock, etc.

(4) Manufacturers' catalogues and specifications

None of this information can be ignored if it is required in a lab's work. At some stage someone will need to gain access to the material quickly and easily.

The test is 'is it relevant to the lab's work?' If it is, it is worth keeping. If not it can be thrown away. Filing is often a job to be delegated to the most junior member of staff because it is considered to be too boring a work.