In preparation for a 2-day workshop on the potential for library automation in Maine, comments regarding expectations for the workshop, specific questions, and concerns were solicited from librarians throughout Maine. This document comprises written testimony received by the solicitor. Among the issues addressed are: needs and desires in the area…

This document contains the full transcript of a 2-day workshop on library automation. The first day of the workshop was devoted to a review of the state-of-the-art of library automation and the second day included presentation of testimony by Maine librarians. The transcript of the first day includes discussions of the historical development of…

Computers have had a tremendous impact on library services as automation has affected every aspect of library activity. Automated systems may be viewed as either internal, intermediate, or external, and different factors must be considered in planning for various types of systems. Internal systems, which are used only by library personnel, handle…

These proceedings contain 21 research reports and 56 position papers as well as capsule descriptions of 32 workshop forums, panel presentations, and group discussions that took place at the conference. The papers are organized into nine broad subject areas: (1) academic and research librarianship (recruitment, technology and change, faculty…

Discusses collection development and acquisitions in virtual, or networked, libraries. Topics include electronic versus digital libraries; philosophical issues of library acquisition; user expectations, including wants and needs; strategic planning, including resource sharing agreements, retrospective conversion, and staff training; collection…

Problems and opportunities resulting from the implementation of the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, 2nd edition (AACR 2) are examined in 12 essays by a representative sample of librarians at various New York State public, community college, college, and school libraries. Eight papers relate specifically to implementation experiences at these…

Many problems in developing biomedical library services for the emerging nations of Southeast Asia remain amenable only to legislation; however, IFLA seems particularly well situated to assist in these tasks. Of the numerous political and technical problems to be overcome, first and foremost are the difficulties involved in the simple transmission…

The Ad Hoc Committee on Future Information Services explored possible future directions for information services at Texas A&M University Library and developed a plan to guide the library into the next decade in terms of automated access to information. In exploring future directions for automated information services, the committee members…

Description of considerations special libraries must address before building databases is based on practical experiences of Comstow Information Services. Developing standards for all types of materials (journal articles, internal reports, competitors' literature, government documents, conference proceedings, analytics, books), retrospective…

This essay addresses the need to maintain authority control in machine-held catalogs as well as card catalogs. Highlights include retrospective conversion of library catalogs; the value of following Library of Congress (LC) cataloging practices; indifference to LC catalog conversion; and overcoming negative attitudes toward LC as an authority.…

This study explores current trends and practices in functional integration based on site visits to six Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries selected on the basis of their responses to a Fall 1984 ARL questionnaire. The responses indicated that, for all six libraries, some integration of functions existed, staff reorganization…

Shelf browsing demands open access for the browser and a resources arrangement that groups related concepts together and thereby permits retrieving hitherto unknown items by association. Many resources, especially in large academic libraries, are technically open to the public but arranged in a way that prevents shelf browsing according to the…

Of the 53 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member institutions that responded to a 1980 Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) call for Anglo American Cataloging Rules Second Edition (AACR 2) implementation studies, 37 had looked at the impact of the new code on library operations, while 16 indicated they had not done a formal study…

Quality in library technical services is explored in light of changes produced by automation. Highlights include a definition of quality; new opportunities and shifting priorities; cataloging (fullness of records, heading consistency, accountability, local standards, automated checking); need for new skills (management, staff); and boons of…

Provides an overview of the state of libraries and their resources in Croatia. Highlights include destruction of libraries resulting from the war; the need for centralization, uniformity, and standards; the role of the National and University Library; processing library materials; and the development of an automated system and network. (Contains…