Describes the program developed by the AAU (Association of American Universities) and the ARL (Association of Research Libraries) to improve access to international research resources and to help libraries contain costs through distributed collecting and technology. Considers the effects of financial pressures on foreign language and area studies…

Discussion of the future of research libraries and changes in international scholarship focuses on the acquisition and distribution of foreign-language and area-studies materials. Experiences at the University of Pittsburgh are highlighted, including planning principles. (LRW)