The challenge and opportunity for state libraries to participate in library networks are here, yet state libraries are little known to users, the majority of librarians and the general public. (AB)

An American Reviews the developments during the last decade (1961-1971) toward a national library system in Great Britain. (7 references) (SJ)

Other states planning plans for libraries may benefit from lessons learned in Ohio's library Development Plan. (AB)

Described is the network of regional research centers for public archives and private manuscripts located in university libraries and operated by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. (7 references) (SJ)

Recommends ways to alleviate the psychological, political, funding, communication, and planning problems which have blocked the full participation of schools in interlibrary networks. The roles of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and NCLIS's Task Force on the role of the school library media programs in networking are…

Examines arguments now being presented in support of public library networking and resource sharing and suggests ways to obtain harder evidence that might serve to legitimize these beliefs: estimate benefits, build in evaluation, support estimates of benefits, seek cheaper alternatives for accomplishing same goal, consider alternatives to…

Describes resource sharing system in Illinois academic libraries that allows patrons to borrow materials from other libraries through user-friendly interlibrary loan commands on IBM personal computer terminals. Highlights include experiences at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IBM personal computers as terminals, and increase in…

The development of library media centers in the elementary schools of the county led to a national award in the 1971 Encyclopaedia Britannica competition. (AB)

Introduces information request form developed by Cooperative Reference Services Committee of American Library Association's Reference and Adult Services Division to be used whenever a library cannot supply information requested by a patron and would like to ask another library for assistance. Front of proposed form with sample question is shown.…

Recounts the history of the Research Libraries Group (RLG) and Stanford University's involvement in it, with an account of the problems that developed with the system, particularly several computer failures which almost spelled the end of the network. The comments of key figures in the RLG story are included. (JL)

Discusses the potential for linking large metropolitan public libraries to international interlibrary loan networks. Issues involved in international networking, including funding, standards, network connectivity, and protectionism, are discussed. Examples of libraries capable of participating and brief descriptions of their collections are given.…

Discusses the goals of library networks in terms of sharing scarce resources and improving user access to information, and advocates cooperative library planning to enhance these goals, including interlibrary activities and multitype library systems. (CLB)

Describes Linked Systems Project (LSP), which is designed to connect three large bibliographic networks in an "open" manner without changing the systems. "Open systems," standards, advantages of linking systems, interchange of authority data, Library of Congress Name Authority Cooperative Project, record transfer and…

Describes an automated library network system designed by the Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries that offers traditional serials control functions and access to the actual article content of journals. The design of the database and plans for a document delivery system are discussed. (CLB)

A commentary on the need for the library profession to remain flexible when planning future library services and programs. Because of rapid technological, economic, and social changes, it is suggested that earlier decisions regarding national programs should be reassessed and different directions taken. (JPF)