Provides background and insight into the totally new telecommunications network recently implemented by OCLC, as well as steps taken to assure that catastrophic events at critical carrier-network locations or disruptive cuts in carrier cable facilities do not result in widespread service outages for OCLC users. (four references) (DB)

Describes the advantages of the development of open systems, i.e., a configuration which combines software and hardware from separate vendors into a single system, as a means of increasing the possible applications of library automation. (CLB)

Summarizes OCLC's linking strategy for national networks, i.e., the Internet and the National Research and Education Network (NREN). The telecommunications environment for libraries is discussed and aspects of network links are considered, including governance, performance/support, economics, and future developments. Planning strategies for…

Explores issues relating libraries, telecommunications, the Communications Act of 1934, the Federal Communications Commission, and the common carriers. Computer networking technologies and standards are discussed and progress in library networking is compared to the development of a planned national science network. Future public policy issues…

In 1996, the Colorado Library Resource Sharing and Information Access Board initiated a project to explore a patron-initiated interlibrary loan (ILL) system utilizing the ACLIN (Access Colorado Library Information Network) infrastructure and interfacing with local catalogs, remote databases, and bibliographic utilities. This report summarizes the…

Discusses results from a 1992 survey of various types and sizes of Canadian libraries that was conducted to establish a baseline profile of libraries contributing to shared databases, and to determine the nature and extent of AACR2R use for creating original records being contributed to bibliographic utilities or other networks. (LRW)

Discusses the need for library cooperation with other libraries and with outside organizations, to cope with technological change. Highlights include national bibliographic utilities and regional library networks; relationships among librarians, scholars, and computing professionals; alliances with the commercial sector; the Coalition for…

Describes the current state of automation at academic libraries, outlines issues that face library planners today, and emphasizes the use of technologies such as nationwide computer networks to improve access to information. The University of California's MELVYL system is described, and the use of online catalogs is discussed. (LRW)

Reviews the concept, context, status, and potential of the Linked Systems Protocol. The discussion covers the functions of the protocol; its implications for scholarship, bibliographic access, and the notion of a national database; and problems that would affect the effective implementation of international use. (21 references) (Author/CLB)

Describes the Linked Systems Protocol, a draft national standard for bibliographic information retrieval aimed at developing an extended protocol for the movement of bibliographic information from one system to another, and its implications for library automation, the individual librarian, and the library user. (CLB)

The first of two articles describes changes in computer technologies and user needs which affect the role of bibliographic utilities and discusses the need for cooperation between libraries and computing professionals. The second article discusses underlying strategies of library collection management in terms of quantitative and intuitive…

Describes microcomputer-based networks which have been implemented at Vanderbilt University's library to support technical services workstations that use NOTIS, catalog with OCLC, and transfer OCLC records to the NOTIS database using GTO (Generic Transfer and Overlay). It is noted that the network configurations can serve as models for other…

Describes electronic publishing and information resources in the field of music. Topics addressed include bibliographic citations of books, journal articles, scores, and sound recordings; bibliographic utilities; computer network resources; electronic music applications; tutorial and laboratory projects; interactive multimedia publications; and…

Summaries of presentations made at the Technology at the Library of Congress conference held in May 1986 describe new technologies that the library is applying to its programs and services, including advances in bibliographic control; automated acquisitions systems; computer-to-computer communications; linking of national bibliographic utilities;…

Discusses cooperative efforts between research organizations and libraries to create a national information network. Topics discussed include the Linked System Project (LSP); technical processing versus reference and research functions; Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model; the National Science Foundation Network (NSFNET); and…