The topic of open systems as it relates to the needs of libraries to establish interoperability between dissimilar computer systems can be clarified by an understanding of the background and evolution of the issue. The International Standards Organization developed a model to link dissimilar computers, and this model has evolved into consensus…

In Florida, as in the rest of the country, there is a paradigm shift within libraries. Increasingly, the information necessary to respond to user needs is available electronically--sometimes only or most conveniently in electronic form. For librarians to be most effective in the electronic revolution, they need to link their libraries into a…

Findings and recommendations are reported by three subcommittees charged with determining the unmet needs of the Illinois Library and Information Network (ILLINET) and establishing a set of priorities that must be completed before the needs can be met. The report also addresses the responsibilities of cooperating libraries at all levels within the…

The National Commission on Libraries and Information Science was created in 1970 as a coordinating and planning agency of the United States Government. In order to gain knowledge of the needs and views of library users throughout the country, the Commission conducted a sereis of regional hearings and supported four research studies. As its major…

The Conference Poceedings are divided into three broad topics: systems planning, audiovisuals in biomedical communication, and automation and networking. Speakers from within the Veterans Administration (VA), from the National Medical Audiovisual Center, and the Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications, National Library of…

The objectives of this Institute are to: (1) understand basic factors in the building of public library systems; (2) become familiar with the Wisconsin social, governmental and fiscal bases in relation to which library systems may develop and (3) consider methods by which an area can build a library system. Major topics presented include: (1)…

The main objectives of this meeting held in Brazzaville, People's Republic of Congo from July 5 to 10, 1976 were to examine recent efforts made by African Member States to plan and develop their national information systems (NATIS), and make recommendations for the creation of networks of documentation and library services adapted to the rapidly…

Defines a network and discusses some of the characteristics of existing networks. (PF)

Libraries and information centers are rapidly becoming an integral part of American Indian life. Individuals, organizations, and tribes have come to the decision that libraries and the information services which they offer are necessary to meet Indian goals. Although these goals may vary widely from improved access to education, cultural…

The fourth of five phases of a study of planning and evaluating multitype library networks pulls together the results of the first three, which examined individually three previously used approaches--performance, organization, and attitude--to form a model. The fifth phase is currently testing the model on a national basis. (CDD)

Discusses the author's report, "The Future of the National Library of Canada," in terms of its scope, intent, and limitations. (CHC)

Six articles address telecommunications issues that are relevant to library and information science. Topics discussed include national library networks, the growth of computer networks, telecommunications strategies for academic libraries, the need to increase process research in telecommunications, and the potential of future lightwave…

A five year plan and budget for Pennsylvania library cooperative activities is outlined based on two goals: (1) libraries should support state educational, industrial, governmental, health and other information programs by joining in a statewide library network to provide all publicly available information in the state to any citizen; and (2)…

A simplified account of an extensive library automation and networking project that the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation initiated and funded in the Czech and Slovak republics is provided in this paper. The proposal to establish "The Czech and Slovak Library Information Network" (CASLIN) commenced in January 1993. Storage, document…

The six papers in this collection, which were presented at the 1991 Library Association of the City University of New York (CUNY) Institute, focus on the theme of library collection development: (1) "Evolving Knowledge Resource Access Systems: Keynote Address" (Peter R. Young, Executive Director of the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and…