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…

Discusses the Mitre Corporation's implementation of OCLC's LS/2000 integrated library system using a local area network (LAN). LAN issues--requirements, equipment, reliability, growth, security, and traffic--are covered in general and as they relate to Mitre. Installation of the LAN/system interface and benefits and drawbacks of using a LAN for…

Describes the history and current status of bibliographic control in Japanese libraries, including the necessity for standardizing the combination of Japanese phonetic script and Chinese characters. The results of a survey of bibliographic activities and library automation are presented, and a developing plan to establish Japanese bibliographic…

Describes objectives and technical design of the NCSU (North Carolina State University) Digitized Document Transmission Project, a collaborative project among the NCSU libraries, the National Agricultural Library, and 11 land grant university libraries, which is exploring issues involved in developing network-based document delivery systems for…

Questions the wisdom of permitting visions of the electronic library to drive budgets and strategic planning. Social and economic realities limiting user access to information, new roles for librarians, and models that guide management of information resources and services by real librarians for real users are discussed. A proposed action agenda…

Reviews internal and external dimensions of library environment that must be taken into account by library managers when choosing an integrated library system. The selection, acquisition, and implementation stages of Maggie III--a computerized library system sensitive to the internal and external organizational environment--are described. (MBR)

Overview of recent developments in field of telecommunications, especially newer transmission media and equipment, highlights new information services and systems (telebanking, teleshopping, videotex); opportunities for libraries (storing material, information generation, provision of equipment, library management); reasons for adopting new…

Addresses concept of automated library systems as integration of traditional bibliographic transaction processing applications and advanced office systems. Functional application distribution for this system is discussed using Computer Consoles, Inc., Office Power and Prime Computer, Inc., and Prime Office Automation System to show office…

Discusses telecommunications between computers and terminals and the software needed to transfer information files between computers. Technical management of computers and telecommunications in libraries is considered, computer networks are discussed, and a glossary of terms encountered in computer communications is presented. (Six references)…

This overview of local library online systems that integrate several functions covers functional integration, benefits of integrated systems, turnkey systems, minicomputer and microcomputer-based systems, interfacing automated systems, types of interfaces, linking homogenous and heterogeneous systems, role of vendors, library applications, linking…

Describes the trend toward decentralization and local, integrated systems in the library network environment. The response of the bibliographic utilities to these trends is discussed in terms of distributed processing systems, participation in the Linked Systems Project, the introduction of new and improved services, and international ventures. (1…

Considers three-dimensional impact of future information society on libraries--diffusion of information technology (library automation, electronic bibliographic control, remote access to library); transformation of societal systems (appearance of information literacy educational system, intelligence infrastructure); and changing human needs (goal…

Discusses four megatrends from John Naisbitt's book--"Megatrends"--which have particular relevance to the electronic library: shift from industrial to information society; need to balance high-tech with high-touch; focus on self-help over institutional help; and change in organizational structures from pyramid hierarchies to networks.…

Provides an overview of CD-ROM networking technology in libraries. Six systems currently in operation are evaluated; operational experiences in libraries are discussed, including the need for user education; networking between CD-ROM networks and integrated library systems is described; and future possibilities are suggested. (14 references) (LRW)

Discusses the impact of information technology requirements on the costs of electronic libraries. Addresses key questions concerning hardware, software and network installation and upgrades and provides strategies for dealing with the needs for continuous funding and long-term financing that are essential for keeping up with the requirements of…