Description of considerations special libraries must address before building databases is based on practical experiences of Comstow Information Services. Developing standards for all types of materials (journal articles, internal reports, competitors' literature, government documents, conference proceedings, analytics, books), retrospective…

Describes framework for library networking which consists of six interdependent dimensions to be used for decision making by libraries: functions to be performed, type of access information, types of materials, products and services, networking configurations, and communications means. Use of a series of cost models describing activities within…

Questions whether IOLS (integrated online library systems) effectively serve all the needs of libraries and encourage the development of each module to its fullest potential. Suggests that the needs of acquisitions departments are often not met, due to emphasis on circulation modules and OPACs (online public access catalogs). (Author/LRW)

Relates problems prompted by implementation of online circulation and cataloging systems in Polytechnic of North London's Library Service. Conversion of records from former card catalog to computer file and organizational problems (position of central technical services unit, position of Library Service in total information handling structure of…

Describes the Pica Library Automation Network (originally the Project for Integrated Catalogue Automation), which is based on a centralized bibliographic database. Highlights include the Pica conception of library automation, online shared cataloging system, circulation control system, acquisition system, and online Dutch union catalog with…

Compares the more positive library automation experiences of a small public library with those of a large research library. Topics addressed include collection size; computer size and the need for outside control of a data processing center; staff size; selection process for hardware and software; and accountability. (LRW)

Description of how aspects of library automation are dealt with in Norway highlights main centers for library automation (Norsk Senter for Informatik, two universities); Bibsys--integrated library automation system (bibliographic subsystem, circulation subsystem); and Bibnett project (project studying system-to-system communication between…

The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs Library began a small automation project when complete library automation was not possible. Despite limitations, the library has successfully integrated technology into its daily operations, including computer literacy programs for the staff, maintaining offline circulation records, and producing…

Because technology has made new applications possible and because library and vendor expertise has developed, some libraries today are working with a second or third system vendor. This paper reports on a survey of such libraries in the United States, and it identifies commonality and variation in factors associated with automation system change.…

Discusses ways in which libraries are using the World Wide Web to provide information via a home page, based on information from a survey in Iceland as well as a larger study that conducted content analyses of home pages of public and school libraries in 13 countries. (Author/LRW)

Describes the services offered by Maggie's Place, one of the first fully automated libraries in the world. Topics covered include the online catalog; automated technical processes; dial-up access for patrons; community information databases; and online access to U.S. and international library network services. (five references) (CLB)

Examines the development of electronic books and traditional libraries in relation to the history of books and publishing. An ongoing project is described that is developing two forms of electronic books: hyper-books (built from paper books) and visual-books (built from electronic texts). (22 references) (EAM)

Reports on a 1987 survey of automation in Australian academic and state libraries. The current situation is described in several areas: (1) turnkey integrated "proprietary" library system suppliers; (2) networks; (3) modules; (4) database issues; and (5) staffing trends. The questionnaire and data on proprietary systems and modules used…

Presents an overview of the European Union's activities in the area of technological development in libraries. Highlights include digital libraries of the future, including two current projects; initiatives for public libraries; cooperation between European national libraries; and access to music via networks and interactive multimedia. (LRW)

Presents a geographic analysis of results of a survey of medical libraries in the United States, Canada, and Europe that examined the automation of book and serials processing. Levels of automation are investigated, geographic differences between the use of personal computers versus mainframe/minicomputers are discussed, and software systems are…