Ciencia y documentación científica en la periferia. La Royal Society y la creación de la oficina bibliográfica mexicana (1895-1929)

Abstract

The present study aimed to analyse and explain the creation of the Instituto Bibliográfico Mexicano (Mexican Bibliographical Institute) in 1899. This centre was started and supported through initiatives taken by the Royal Society and its International Catalogue of Scientific Literature, and developed a complete documentation infrastructure, similar to those existing in some European countries at that time (e.g., France or the Austrian Empire). The fact that Mexico was the only Spanish-speaking country that participated in international conferences or in the production of the catalogue from its onset led to strong support from the Government, who also hoped that it would spur the creation of a stable scientific community. This did not prove possible, because of the subordination of Mexican science to that of North America and France. Furthermore, as pointed out by Planco and Saldaña, attempts to imitate or to encourage osmosis from the scientific peripheries to central models mostly failed, although, as in this case, they allowed the preservation of some of the projects and infrastructure.