Describes the National Initiative for a Networked Cultural Heritage (NINCH), a membership coalition of 65 cultural organizations and institutions, including arts, humanities, and information technology communities, committed to successful integrated networking of cultural resources. The NINCH Web site, strategic community-wide meetings,…

Examines the issue of standardization in the application of computerized automation to rare book and art collections in libraries and describes recent examples of applications in North America and in Western Europe. Topics addressed include bibliographic control, the development of national and international databases, and the use of videodisks.…

Presents a statement by the International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC) that addresses concerns about the current electronic information environment, the desired environment for the future, and the preferred practices for library consortia and their member libraries for the selection and purchase of electronic information. (LRW)

Reviews the history of library consortia, examines present activities, and considers future possibilities. Topics include consortium and cooperation; academic consortia; library automation and the development of library consortia; consortia with other countries; and electronic libraries. Tables include library consortia establishment, institutions…