Although the current focus of library consortia has been their role as buying clubs, technology has opened up other important roles as well. One of these is a radical reassessment of physical resource sharing--increasing the ease, speed, popularity, and cost efficiency of the traditional interlibrary loan function. A case study of patron-initiated…

This study developed a preliminary model of the stages of school system participation in library networks and identified the major activities for each stage. Constructed from a study of the literature on innovation adoption and diffusion, observation, and informal interviews, the model is composed of four primary aspects: technological support,…

Librarians need to take the initiative and seize the opportunities presented by a changing environment and society's demands for greater access to information. New technologies such as laser disks, machine indexing, telefacsimile, microcomputer applications, and fiber optics are having an immense impact on the practice of librarianship, and the…

Describes the design process for creating a Web site that provides access to services of OhioLINK (The Ohio Library and Information Network), a consortium of libraries from higher education institutions that developed an online union catalog. Goals for future development are also discussed, including electronic journals and user authentication.…

Provides guidelines for purchasing and installing CD-ROM technology in school libraries. Considerations include hardware and software selection and familiarity with new products. Two lists are provided that contain contact information for six companies and recommendations for six standard CD-ROM reference sources to include on a network. (JKP)

Describes the activities of SURFnet BV, a research network that provides information and communication services in higher education and scientific or industrial research in The Netherlands. Topics discussed include standardization; user services, including electronic mail; costs of using SURFnet; user support services; and the role of libraries in…

The article describes a partnership between two of the libraries at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) through which two staff in one library worked part-time at the other during the summer of 2006 in order to maximize staffing efficiency among the units, as well as to realize professional development-related goals for the staff…

This examination of the use of local area networks (LANs) by libraries summarizes the findings of a nationwide survey of 600 libraries and information centers and 200 microcomputer networking system manufacturers and vendors, which was conducted to determine the relevance of currently available networking systems for library and information center…

Among the projects described are programs for the promotion of National Information Systems (NATIS) and of scientific and technological documentation and information. (PF)

A description of the growth and development of the New York State Interlibrary Loan Network (NYSILL) from its inception in 1976 to its status in 1977, is followed by discussions of the various aspects of the network, reexamining its ability to meet its objectives and proposing recommendations for improvement. These discussions include (1) the…

From the standpoint of information network technology there is a necessary emphasis upon compatibility requirements which, in turn, will be met at least in part by various techniques of achieving convertibility --- between machine and machine, between man and machine, and between man and man. It may be hoped that improved compatibilities between…

The National Biomedical Communications Network has evolved both from a set of conceptual recommendations over the last twelve years and an accumulation of needs manifesting themselves in the requests of members of the medical community. With a short history of three years this Network and its developing structure have exhibited most of the…

The statutory scheme of the Copyright Act of 1976 Section 106 is reviewed, followed by an analysis of the impact of the new provisions on such library activities as lending, photocopying, offering secondary services, and operating library networks and consortia. (LBH)

Describes the Reference by GammaFax Project, which joined nine area libraries to provide cooperative reference access to optical disk databases. The configuration of disk players, microcomputers, and facsimile equipment used by the libraries is explained, and the improvements in cost effectiveness, provision of service, and librarian expertise are…

Considers fundamental decisions that shaped the output products of Research Libraries Information Network. Product Batch was designed using single data definition (RMARC) combined with standard PL/I, modular programing techniques, program documentation. Choice of software and programing languages, other design aspects (accountability, count…