The technology of the 21st century has had no shortage of challenges for libraries, but it has also brought opportunities. Operating systems, databases, and application environments that can use cheap off-the-shelf hardware to scale and handle hundreds of millions of transactions were not developed for libraries. However, libraries have taken…

The year 2011 was the PALNI (Private Academic Library Network of Indiana) consortium's "rookie season" for the implementation of Primo, the 2010 Discovery Layer 500 race winner. In this article, the authors report on their transition to the cloud within Ex Libris Ltd.'s Primo TotalCare environment: their preparation, the steps involved…

The South Carolina Information and Library Services Consortium (SCILS) began with three public two-year college libraries in 1995. Since then, nine other public two-year college libraries have joined SCILS. In 2004, Sirsi's buyout of Data Research Associates (DRA) in 2001 was the impetus for SCILS to migrate to Sirsi. Migration to a more dynamic…

This presentation by the president and chief executive officer of OCLC focuses on library automation and networking in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, citing an article by Richard DeGennaro and relating experiences at OCLC in resource sharing and related information services. (EJS)

Description of the development of a computer-based resource-sharing program in Massachusetts highlights past planning efforts, development of philosophical basis of network, network activities (development and linking of bibliographic databases, document request and delivery procedures, computer literacy/training for librarians), and issues…

Outlines the present status of library automation and networking in Australia and explores the issues arising when regional network operations consider their relationship to the national Australian Bibliographic Network: provision of services, standards, network technology, contractual arrangements, economics, and policy. Thirty-eight references…

When the Higher Education Library Information Network of Rhode Island transferred members' bibliographic data into a shared online public access catalog (OPAC), 10% of the University of Rhode Island's monograph records were missing. This article describes the consortium's attempts to retrieve records from the database and the effectiveness of…

Reviews the resources available through the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA) Web site, a consortium of the libraries of the 39 state-assisted colleges and universities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. States that VIVA provides, in an equitable, cooperative, and cost-effective manner, enhanced access to library and information for these higher…

In 1990, the Louisiana Board of Regents commissioned a task force on libraries to develop a plan for greater cooperation and resource sharing among the state's academic libraries. The mission was hampered by the sparsity of automated facilities and the failure to secure state funding for public library automation, but by 1992 the task force had…

The IRVING Library Network provides state-of-the-art design, using a distributed packet switched network which implements parts of the Open System Interconnection Reference Model as defined by International Standards Organization. It provides gateway to other networks without disturbing local host systems and creates network language. Glossary and…

Presents remarks of the Secretary of State and State Librarian of Illinois concerning the Illinois Library and Information Network (ILLINET) which was created in 1965. Effective use of developing technology (online catalogs, interlibrary loan, automated circulation systems, collection development), anticipating changing needs of library users, and…

Profiles the New England Library Information Network (NELINET), whose purpose is to serve as focal point for achievement of cost effective library automation through shared resources. Origins of NELINET are highlighted as well as NELINET services, including archival tapes, role as OCLC broker network, cost effectiveness, and successful use of new…

Discussion of Illinois experiences in library cooperation and computerization (OCLC, Library Computer System, LIBRAS) describes use of library materials, benefits and drawbacks of online networking, experiences at Lake Forest College (Illinois), and six tasks recommended for small academic libraries as preparation for major changes toward…

Traces the development of computerization of library operations in Singapore from 1970 to 1989. Highlights include the role of the Ministry of Finance; institutional computerization; consortiums; the Singapore Integrated Library Automation Service (SILAS), a national network whose main function is to provide online shared cataloging; and access to…

This report describes the development of the Forest Trail Library Consortium (FTLC), a network of academic, public, and school libraries in Texas. The growth of FTLC from 4 charter members to its current 16 members is traced, including details about goals and funding. The role of special interest groups (SIGs) is examined, and the goals and…