Over the past several decades, millions of digital objects of significant scientific, economic, cultural, and historic value have been published and distributed to libraries and archives on removable media. Providing long-term access to these documents, media files, and software executables is an increasingly complex task because of dependencies…

Based on a longer, more detailed paper prepared for the 1970 Midwinter Meeting of the Association of Research Libraries, this article discussion auutomation in the context of the management, facilities and system requirements for large research libraries. (Author/NH)

Information needs are growing more rapidly than the abilities of research libraries and information centers to meet them. Two reasons and their influence on information systems are discussed: a shift in scientific endeavor from basic science to applied, leading to the emergence of programmatic research; and the technology of science itself. (16…

Discusses the role of advanced technology in developing new library systems and facilities. Considers the impact of computers on acquisition, reproduction, and availability of material in both general-use libraries and special research facilities, particularly in terms of cost. (JMF)

Reviews concerns of scholars and librarians in the area of electronic information. The function and importance of integrated scholarly information systems are discussed with examples of ways scholars are likely to acquire and integrate electronic information in the future. The impact of electronic research systems on the nature of academic…

The efforts of university libraries in the United States to develop and implement rational plans are exemplified by the activities of the Association of Research Libraries, originator of various plans for library cooperation including the Farmington Plan and the National Program for Acquisitions and Cataloging. Another example of effective…

This study, conducted to determine which automated system would be the most appropriate to replicate or install at Clemson University to support the users of the library, screened 29 library automation systems to determine those most adaptable to Clemson's needs. In-depth comparisons were made with regard to functions available, features, start up…

Three papers are compiled here for research library directors: (1) "Background: Open Systems Interconnection," in which David F. Bishop provides fundamental background information to explain the concept of the emerging technology of linked systems and open systems interconnection--i.e., an agreed upon standard set of conventions or rules…

Considers several systems automating local departmental-based data facilities. Describes design and implementation of a simple system. Concludes by reflecting on changes needed in the system. (Author/CK)

Dalhousie is a medium-sized university, with about 15,000 FTE students, located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It is one of Canada's oldest and most prestigious universities, yet, like many other public institutions, it frequently suffers from a lack of adequate funding to fulfill all the conflicting needs of the various faculties and departments. This…

Based on an October 1982 survey of 31 selected members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), this report presents library planning documents, general system descriptions and reviews, and examples of library specifications--all dealing with integrated library information systems (ILIS). An ILIS is defined as a fully interactive integrated…

After a brief overview of the digitization activities at Florida Atlantic University Libraries, this article describes one project in detail, concentrating on various types of cooperation it reflects.

This 16-article issue focuses on history, policy, services, users, organization, evaluation, and automation of the archival reference process. Collections at academic research libraries, a technical university, Board of Education, business archives, a bank, labor and urban archives, a manuscript repository, religious archives, and regional history…

This inventory provides profiles, tables, and listings describing automated library activities at 103 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) institutions. The inventory includes analyses of aggregate information from individual library profiles which are then divided into three categories that reflect primarily bibliographic functions: (1)…

This publication reporting the responses of 92 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) members to an automation inventory survey conducted in March 1985 was generated from a database developed by ARL to provide timely, comparable information about the extent and nature of automation within the ARL library community. Among operational systems, the…