Describes the development of California Institute of Technology Libraries' local database of articles from science and engineering journals and its integrated document request and delivery feature. It is noted that not all journals received by the libraries are in the database, backfiles are limited, and coverage is not comprehensive. (five…

Describes the Special Collections Database (SCDB), which is being developed by Ohio State University to provide better access to its special collections through item level bibliographic records for nonbook items. It is noted that these collections include fiction, the theater arts, music, photography, and the graphic arts. Copies of draft…

Traces the development of library networking over the last 20 years, and examines the current attitude toward an integrated national network. The political and economic problems of the Linked Systems Project are discussed, as well as issues relating to copyright. (10 references) (Author/CLB)

Reviews the development of bibliographic utilities and the approaches used by the major utilities to deal with issues of record ownership and use. The possible effects of a copyright claim registered by OCLC in 1984 on local library consortia and member libraries of OCLC affiliated networks are discussed. (35 notes/references) (CLB)

Describes the role of automation in library acquisitions and serials departments in support of collection development. Highlights include workstations and expert systems; links to external databases; vendor services, including serials services and online review and selection of approval books; and automated access to collection development…

Provides guidance to academic librarians for making cost-effective and appropriate purchase and networking decisions for electronic bibliographic database products. Topics include user needs, user and program demographics, academic computing and network support, delivery options, and considerations for the future. (Author/LRW)