These remarks are based on the Association's cooperative library study finding that two-thirds of the southeastern libraries are already participating in cooperative programs. Libraries must now exploit these avenues of cooperation, especially with the Library of Congress. Cooperative projects in automation such as CONSER, COMARC, and RLG are…

This outline of new technological developments and their applications in the library and information world considers innovations in three areas: automation, telecommunications, and the publishing industry. There is mention of the growth of online systems, minicomputers, microcomputers, and word processing; the falling costs of automation; the…

Economic pressures on the information industry and on libraries are significantly affecting the nature of services and the organization of work within libraries. These effects are illustrated by three phenomena: emphasis on productivity in libraries, marketing of online database searches through libraries, and the repackaging of library services…

When assessing the possible impact of library technical processes on library space utilization in the future, it should be taken into account that the role of libraries as book and document depositories is being replaced by the emerging role of information delivery systems. Miniaturization and new technology may decrease space needs, but in most…

Major trends in library technology and technology in general, as indicated by information gathered through internal development work at the Dallas Public Library, professional readings, and interviews with experts, are discussed. Trends covered are: (1) internal library services focusing on a total systems approach to library automation; (2)…

New technologies used by libraries include computers, minicomputers, photocopiers, audiovisual equipment, videocable, and satellite. Cataloging is a major area of computer application, with the MARC (MAchine Readable Cataloging) format developed by the Library of Congress providing batch mode services, and the more sophisticated OCLC (Ohio College…

One major impact on the library service system of the management arts, the split between the traditional public service and technical departments, should be reconsidered. Technology such as photocopying, TWX, and long distance photocopying also has an impact on the service system. Data base service must be considered a routine biomedical reference…

Research needs in area of library technical services are identified, focusing on costs, the catalog, bibliographic data, new cataloging code, subject access in online catalogs, acquisitions, serials control system, universal technical processing terminals, data storage devices, robots and artificial intelligence, bibliographic instruction, and…

The computer design of the system serving the 53 library systems of the Washington Library Network provides nine online files through its integrated bibliographic and acquisitions subsystems. The bibliographic subsystem provides an authority file of author, title, series, and subject headings; a bibliographic file of MARC records on books, films,…

Discussion of the problem of automation in the workplace with references to libraries focuses on the person/machine interface of visual display terminals (VDT). An argument is made for a human systems approach which integrates operator-user, VDT, work environment, work station, and task. Ergonomic recommendations for VDT use are made. (Author/EJS)

Computer output microfilm/fiche (COM) combines the speed and laborsaving aspects of computer-based systems with the economy and physical compactness of microforms to provide the medium of the future for library management and information retrieval. The traditional card catalog and printed lists found in every library can be replaced in multiple…

Because the cost of computers has decreased significantly in the last few years and their capabilities have increased significantly, a minicomputer is proposed as the front end processor for an automated library system of a medium sized library. The local library processor is to be connected to a larger computer which hosts the data base and…

This paper provides a brief comparative summary of the results of U.S. and European studies on the use of CD-ROM and other optical products in all types of libraries and information centers. In 1987 and 1988, questionnaires were distributed to academic, public, and special libraries in the United States and to libraries in 18 European countries:…

Three award-winning papers from an Illinois Library Association competition discuss topics related to the future of libraries: recruitment and education of young librarians; traditional roles of librarians in the future, including preservation of books and the historical record; and rapid change in the library environment in response to…

A study of computer facilities in British libraries highlighted the respective benefits and disadvantages of using the parent institution's central computer or using a dedicated minicomputer. The large computer's technical advantages include greater opportunities for sharing or buying operational software, and the availability of experienced…