This paper presents a novel approach to designing an online, open-source course in systems librarianship, an area of librarianship that may be perceived as complex and intimidating because of the technologies involved. The course design focuses on making systems librarianship more approachable for library and information science students who may…

By digitizing its collections and adopting a wide range of interactive tools, the Smithsonian can engage billions of people worldwide and power collaboration across nations and disciplines. The Smithsonian Institution can share its expertise and resources with K-12 schools and speed scientific discovery by giving scholars ready access to the…

The technology of the 21st century has had no shortage of challenges for libraries, but it has also brought opportunities. Operating systems, databases, and application environments that can use cheap off-the-shelf hardware to scale and handle hundreds of millions of transactions were not developed for libraries. However, libraries have taken…

Montana State University (MSU) Libraries (where the authors serve as web services librarian and digital initiatives librarian, respectively) is perhaps unique because it has no current periodicals room due to lack of space. As a result, finding current journals for research is difficult for its patrons, who do not always know how or where to…

Moving materials from receipt of the shipment to distribution to branches within 48 hours is such a hassle among members of the technical services department of Columbus Metropolitan Library. However, these issues challenged them to find alternative solutions to achieve their goals. After reviewing the in and outs of their department and making a…

A description of the growth and development of the New York State Interlibrary Loan Network (NYSILL) from its inception in 1976 to its status in 1977, is followed by discussions of the various aspects of the network, reexamining its ability to meet its objectives and proposing recommendations for improvement. These discussions include (1) the…

Describes the components and procedures involved in implementing St. John's University's (New York) document delivery system, which uses University Microfilm International's PowerPackages product in conjunction with the Multi-Project for Automated Library System used by Westchester Academic Libraries Director's Organization. Evaluates the impact…

Describes the development of library services at AT&T Bell Labs, which led to the creation of a large variety of services and computerized systems. The discussion covers the effects of divestiture on the present network and plans for future growth. A comprehensive list of the current information product line is provided. (16 references)…

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)

Examines distance learning delivery by the LE (Learning Environment) Club project, a collaboration between several Further Education colleges and Fretwell-Downing, a library automation company. The project integrates computer-supported learning with library automation systems, and addresses issues of user interface metaphors; tracking and…