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Joseph Becker

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DATES:
1923-1995

WORKED AT:
Becker & Hayes, Inc.; CIA.

OTHER INFORMATION:
President, Becker & Hayes, Inc.; Lilley-Trice consider him a networking specialist, and that his principal contribution was his work toward a national information network; Designed Library/USA for the 1962 and 1964 World's Fairs [which included pioneering computer search system demonstrations for the visitor]; 1966-1970 Vice-Pres. and later Pres. of EDUCOM; Co-authored "Information Storage and Retrieval" with Robert Hayes; "Defined information science as the study of how people 'create, use and communicate information'" (Tefko Saracevic); Believe worked on information retrieval at CIA on other security agencies--secret projects; Very influential in the early federal efforts to develop and implement advanced data processing to large and complex information systems, including traditional libraries; A major library consultant; Agreed to serve as Editor-In-Chief of The Information Society Journal, which deals with the broad social issues created by the information age; Took the lead in establishing an advisory board and an editorial board for the journal; The editorial board consisted of well known computer, information, and social scientists; Arranged to have the journal published by the publishing house of Crane and Rusack; The first issue appeared in 1981 and TIS is now in its 12th volume; member of National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS), 1971-79; held adjunct faculty appointments at Catholic University of America, the University of Pittsburgh and UCLA; President of the University of the World. For additional information see the obituary notice in JASIS, June 1996. (All information concerning Becker's work with The Information Society Journal was taken from the ISI homepage http://www.isnet.com/about/ aboutisi.html)

AWARDS:
1966 Intelligence Award of Merit(CIA); 1971 Best Information Science Book(ASIS); 1975 Outstanding Information Science Non-Print Media(ASIS); 1984 Award of Merit(ASIS); 1991 Honorary Life Membership(SLA); 1992 Honorary Member(ALA).

OFFICES:
President, Information and Automation Division (ALA) 1968; ASIS President 1969; chairman, Section T (AAAS)

PAPERS AT:
LOCATION #1

INCLUDES:
According to Robert Hayes, plans are for the Becker family to deposit his personal/professional papers with the UCLA Special Collections Division; Becker & Hayes Co. files will also be deposited there.

SOURCE:
Conversation with Robert Hayes, 9/95.