Identifies five institutional forms of library consortia, one of which is local consortia or proximal networks, and discusses issues that apply to local library consortia. Highlights include redefinition of the library role, appropriate technology, bibliographic control, direct access, governance, and financing. (10 references) (CLB)

The purpose of this document is to orient new system staff and advisory council members to their roles and responsibilities in the Texas Library System. It contains information on the history, governance, funding, services, and administration of the systems. Chapter 1 contains a discussion of the history of library systems in Texas and some key…

Reviews the history of the relationship between OCLC and the regional networks, and examines current stresses in this relationship. Strategies that might be used to preserve this partnership are suggested. (1 reference) (Author/CLB)

Before turning to the OCLC vision of nationwide networking, a review of some of the issues that have influenced that vision are presented, including: technology as a driving force; library and information economics; the challenge of providing ever-proliferating services to an ever more computer-literate end user; the changing role of the library…

Traces the development of library networking over the last 20 years, and examines the current attitude toward an integrated national network. The political and economic problems of the Linked Systems Project are discussed, as well as issues relating to copyright. (10 references) (Author/CLB)

Based on analysis of the current system and comparison with existing and possible alternatives, this report evaluates the effectiveness of the Indiana library cooperative network, a de facto network based on the activities of individual libraries, Area Library Services Authorities (ALSAs), the Indiana Cooperative Library Services Authority…

Explores the impact of networks and shared library resources on the library planning process. Environmental scanning techniques, the need for cooperative planning, and the formulation of strategies to achieve networking goals are discussed. (CLB)

Describes resource sharing system in Illinois academic libraries that allows patrons to borrow materials from other libraries through user-friendly interlibrary loan commands on IBM personal computer terminals. Highlights include experiences at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IBM personal computers as terminals, and increase in…

Prepared as an outline of the long range Michigan library development program, as required by the Library Services and Contruction Act (LSCA), this document presents goals, objectives, and procedures for extending, improving, and strengthening library services to unserved and underserved segments of the Michigan library population from 1983 to…

Undertaken at the request of the Ad Hoc Statewide Automation Committee, this report provides a common understanding for Maine librarians of current library networking and how it might apply to Maine. The current status of Maine libraries and their cooperative and automation activities is summarized; resource-sharing in other states is examined;…

Noting difficulties experienced by small to medium sized colleges in acquiring integrated library computer systems, this position paper outlines issues related to the subject with the intention of increasing familiarity and interest in integrated library systems. The report includes: a brief review of technological advances as they relate to…

Prepared at the request of the Advisory Systems Committee of the Ontario Universities' Library Cooperative System, this report presents the results of study of the feasibility of a bilingual regional system for maps, or alternatively, the possibility of adapting the Guelph system to CARTESS. The report is presented in three sections: (1) a…

Based upon the 211 usable responses received to a survey of the libraries of 68 colleges of advanced education, 19 universities, and 226 technical and further education (TAFE) colleges in Australia, this report considers the establishment of a system that would permit distance education students to borrow materials from a local academic library.…

Based on fiscal year 1985 annual reports from 48 states, this report describes interlibrary cooperation and resource-sharing activities supported by Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA), Title III, funds during 1985. A summary of types of activities reported includes the establishment, maintenance, and expansion of communication networks…

The long-range program presented in this document results from the combined efforts of the State Library staff, the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) Administrative Librarian, Louisiana librarians, the Library Development Committee of Louisiana, and a number of other formal and informal planning groups within the state. The program…