The increasingly important role of state library agencies in coordinating planning and evaluation of all types of library services statewide are discussed. Formal statements on state agency roles, and state and federal legislation on planning are also included. (Author/MBR)

A full-service national network of library and information services can only become a reality if there is careful articulation among local, state, multistate, and national planning and implementation activities. The role of the state library agency as coordinator, catalyst, initiator, and even-handed funding agency is essential, difficult, and…

A definition of the term library system," is followed by a discussion of state legislation relating to library systems. (NH)

Discusses a variety of library applications of optical disc storage technology, including CD-ROM, digital videodisc, and WORM. Research and development projects at the Library of Congress, National Library of Medicine, and National Agricultural Library are described, products offered by library networks are reviewed, and activities in academic and…