The silo is a well-worn metaphor in information systems used to illustrate separateness, isolation, and lack of connectivity. Through the many iterations of system development, libraries, archives, and museums (LAMs) have sought to avoid silos and find the sweet spot between interface design and metadata interoperability. This effort is being…

This report describes digital computer simulation efforts in a study of memory systems for two important cases: that of the individual the brain; and that of society, the library. A neural system model is presented in which a complex system is produced by connecting simple hypothetical neurons whose states change under application of a…

This study was undertaken to provide a detailed look at the functions currently being performed by a small, liberal arts college library and to develop some recommendations concerning its future role. The major questions studied in the report are (1) how satisfactory is the present library facility in supporting the information-related activities…

The CSL Serials Control System is aimed primarily at satisfying control and retrieval requirements of serials data for subscribers to the California State Library Processing Center (CSL-PC). The primary objective of the system is to provide a method of serials control which will be very flexible both in terms of input requirements and output…

This discussion of the design, development, and operation of information systems functioning at the national or international level focuses on some of the current interests and concerns of those networks designed to facilitate the sharing or exchange of particular types of nonprint media (NPM) materials. Three categories of NPM materials/resources…

The main objectives of Project BALLOTS (Bibliographic Automation of Large Library Operations Using a Time-Sharing System) are to control rising technical processing costs and, at the same time, to provide improved levels of service. This report on BALLOTS Phase II is concerned with the development and implementation of the production library…

This comparative study of three major online bibliographic systems is designed to provide assistance to library administrators in the assessment of the potential impact of such systems upon the operations of their libraries. A side by side arrangement of the text allows an overview of any specific characteristic under consideration. These…

The first phase of an ongoing library automation project at Stanford University is described. Project BALLOTS (Bibliographic Automation of Large Library Operations Using a Time-Sharing System) seeks to automate the acquisition and cataloging functions of a large library using an on-line time-sharing computer. The main objectives are to control…

The Library of Congress presents the history of its Machine Readable Cataloging (MARC) system. Descriptions of MARC pilot projects and distribution services are followed by a discussion of several conversion projects undertaken by libraries in order to implement MARC. Then MARC's influence on standardization of formats for information interchange,…

BALLOTS is a computerized system to support acquisitions and cataloging in the Stanford University Libraries. The system is divided into ten computerized functions, each supporting a specific type of library processing. The library staff communicates on-line with the system using four on-line files for searching: the MARC file, the In Process…

The objectives of the MASFILE-I Pilot Project were (1) to test the utility and cost of compiling a manipulative data base from remote card files; (2) to test the utility of the Administrative Terminal System (ATS) for inputting bibliographic data into computer files from catalog card copy at a central location; (3) to test the adequacy of a…

A processing center which would meet both the cataloging and acquisitions needs of the public libraries of New York state has been proposed. Described in this report is the acquisition system, which provides for handling of both items received on standing order and items received separately. The state center obtains information as early as…

A processing center which would meet both the cataloging and acquisitions needs of the public libraries of New York state has been proposed. The part defined in this report is a computer-based catalog preparation system, capable of producing both book and card form catalogs. It was designed with the objective of providing sufficient flexibility…

The application of technology to libraries, possible library systems of the future, and problems of effecting a transition between the present and the future are examined. The report identifies a series of recognized or assumed service and operations requirements, surveys major technologies applicable to libraries, and reviews current and planned…

A study on information technology and public policy examined relationships among information providers and their clients in order to determine the economic, institutional, and technological factors that are key in deciding how people get the information they need. The research project was conducted to help the National Commission on Libraries and…