The objectives of the institute were: (1) to explore in general the concept of library systems and study in depth its application in a number and variety of programs; (2) to consider how the systems concept can be embodied in future plans for library development in Louisiana and provide opportunities for participants from other states to become…

This report presents a statement of the Library of Congress's view of its position as the National Library of the United States. The Library has developed from a small parliamentary library to serve the Congress to a library that performs more national-library functions than any national library in the world. Its organizational position in the…

This long range plan for the Montana State Library begins with an introduction that covers history, past planning activities, the planning process, ongoing planning, evaluation, demographic characteristics that influence the library services population, employment and education, income, taxes, needs of Montana libraries, needs of all libraries,…

This report contains the goals, assumptions, objectives, and functions of the National Library and Information Service Network and its library bibliographic component. An overview is given of the networking activities in the U.S. today, and the operational and planned national bibliographic services of the Library of Congress, followed by sections…

When a new library system, WestCat, was installed in the Western Michigan University Libraries (August 1998), an initiative was undertaken to announce its arrival, establish its identity, and train the university community in its use. To promote this initiative, two committees were broadly charged with the responsibilities of publicity and…

The utility of the argument put forth in this paper relates to the planning for future information systems. Librarians must determine what sorts of epistomological or classification systems they can expect in the future and how they can be organized and serviced so they will interface with the past. (Author/NH)

Details are provided of the development of a new library at Clarkson College. It was seen from the start that the new center needed to be viewed as the hub of a campus-wide system to provide integrated informational support for instructional, research, and administrative activities of the entire college. (MP)

Signicant developments in the documentation and library services of 32 African countries since the Kampala, Uganda meeting held in 1970 are enumerated. Particular reference is given to the countries' progress in meeting the following objectives set forth by the Intergovernment Conference: (1) legislation; (2) creation of coordinating bodies; (3)…

The systems approach is being applied to the re-organization of the United Kingdom Library system. The core functions to the national library organization are: (1) reference; (2) lending; (3) bibliographic services; and (4) general planning associated with the development of a national library and information system. Despite the immense potential…

Description of information services from the National Library of Medicine (NLM) highlights a new system for retrieving information from NLM's databases (GRATEFUL MED); a formal Regional Medical Library Network; DOCLINE; the Unified Medical Language System; and Integrated Academic Information Management Systems. Research and development and the…

This two-page digest briefly outlines some of the technological trends in updating a library, and briefly discusses the administrative issues and strategies involved. It begins by describing the wholly integrated information environment, which would include: (1) public-access personal and professional communications networks; (2) information…

Traces the development of a new library/information center at the headquarters of the Aluminum Association, Inc., from the original idea through the first year's activities and accomplishments. Topics addressed include setting priorities, budgeting, establishing services, and selecting a computer based management system. Special library standards…

Representatives from California government, business, industry, and all types of libraries met to discuss interlibrary cooperation and coordination. The addresses presented at the conference and included in these proceedings cover these topics: libraries of the future, major national issues in the development of library networks, library and…

Reviews activities of Automation Development Department established in 1975 at National Library of China. Education of staff members, introduction of Library of Congress MARC tapes and Japanese computer system (Hitachi M-150H), development of application systems, the National Bibliographic Center Computer System, and long-term targets for the…

The Library of Congress asked the Computer Science and Telecommunications Board (CSTB) of the National Academies to conduct a study to provide strategic advice concerning the information technology path that the Library of Congress should traverse over the coming decade. The Committee on an Information Technology Strategy for the Library of…