inist

INIST (Institut de l'Information Scientifique et Technique) was a French research institute of the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) dedicated to the collection, processing and dissemination of scientific and technical information. Its mission encompassed bibliographic indexing, document delivery, digitization, metadata management and the development of information services to support researchers, institutions and public policy.

INIST managed widely used bibliographic databases, including PASCAL and FRANCIS, and provided access to journal articles, conference proceedings, reports and other grey literature. The institute developed tools for information retrieval, cataloguing and interoperability of metadata, and offered document supply services to satisfy requests from laboratories, libraries and the general public.

Throughout its existence INIST engaged in national and international collaborations to promote standards for scientific information, to participate in cooperative indexing initiatives, and to support open access and digital preservation efforts. It also contributed to training and consultancy in information management and bibliometrics. INIST’s activities reflected broader trends in scholarly communication, emphasizing the transition from print to digital collections and the increasing importance of accessible, structured research data.