The silo is a well-worn metaphor in information systems used to illustrate separateness, isolation, and lack of connectivity. Through the many iterations of system development, libraries, archives, and museums (LAMs) have sought to avoid silos and find the sweet spot between interface design and metadata interoperability. This effort is being…

At most colleges and universities, there are a number of small, nonlibrary collections across campus, such as those found in student centers or academic departments. Historically, at American University, partnership with these collections was done through absorbing them into the main library collection. Recently, however, the Library has seen…

This article describes the development of the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA). The VIVA statistics-processing system remains a work in progress. Member libraries will benefit from the ability to obtain the actual data from the VIVA site, rather than just the summaries, so a project to make these data available is currently being planned. The…

Reports the results of a study of cataloging records input into the Ohio College Library Center (OCLC) data base by participating libraries (non-MARC records). The records were analyzed to determine the various fields where most errors occur, as well as the types of cataloging errors. (Author/VT)

The member libraries of the Ohio College Library Center (OCLC) adopted standards for input cataloging in order to improve the technical processes while still keeping costs at a minimum. Increased compatibility of records input by different libraries so that records input by one could be more readily used by others was the final goal. It was…

Discusses the information explosion as it relates to the emergence of the information handling capability explosion, or the use of computer technology, citing library network online databases as evidences of information control. (EJS)

This report describes digital computer simulation efforts in a study of memory systems for two important cases: that of the individual the brain; and that of society, the library. A neural system model is presented in which a complex system is produced by connecting simple hypothetical neurons whose states change under application of a…

BELLTIP is an on-line library processing system concerned with book acquisitions, cataloging, and financial accounting for a newwork of 26 technical libraries. At its center is an interactively updated and queried set of files concerned with all items currently in process. Principal products include all purchase orders, claims, and cancellations;…

The main instrument of data collection in this survey of library technical processing centers was a questionnaire sent to 16 network coordinators. Following a review of current literature, results of the questionnaire are discussed with regard to five areas: (1) each network's means of identification (definition) of processing centers, (2) types…

A detailed description of the operating practices of a computerized book-ordering and processing center for the State University of New York (SUNY) and a plan for implementing such a center are presented. The center is designed to receive orders for purchasing books that are prepared by the member libraries, transmitted to the center over…

This study was undertaken to provide a detailed look at the functions currently being performed by a small, liberal arts college library and to develop some recommendations concerning its future role. The major questions studied in the report are (1) how satisfactory is the present library facility in supporting the information-related activities…

The CSL Serials Control System is aimed primarily at satisfying control and retrieval requirements of serials data for subscribers to the California State Library Processing Center (CSL-PC). The primary objective of the system is to provide a method of serials control which will be very flexible both in terms of input requirements and output…

Reviews a study which examined computerized bibliographic centers in Canada identifying three types: (1) library processing facility; (2) library network user group; and (3) information retrieval facility. The study also reported on ways to promote a computerized library network with emphasis on national location service. (CWM)

This discussion of the design, development, and operation of information systems functioning at the national or international level focuses on some of the current interests and concerns of those networks designed to facilitate the sharing or exchange of particular types of nonprint media (NPM) materials. Three categories of NPM materials/resources…

A mixed media network for information interchange is what we are always likely to have. Amid the current permutations of the storage and distribution media we see the emergence of two trends -- toward the common denominators of electronic display on the TV system and of digital processing and control. The economic implications of a mixed network…