Describes the perceived obstacles to library networks use reported by respondents to a survey of special librarians. The discussion covers the need for special librarians to be actively involved in network planning and governance, and for the Special Libraries Association to take a more active role in networking issues. (nine references) (CLB)

Discusses the background of the Special Libraries Association Committee on Networking; reviews the projects undertaken by the committee in the past, including the Bibliographic Utilities Interview Project, the publication of NETLET, "Networking Notes" columns in Special Libraries, and the Electronic Mail Experiment; and outlines future…

The Southwestern Library Association (SWLA) conducted an inventory and study of the SWLA libraries in cooperative, network, and computer activities to collect data for use in planning future activities and in minimizing duplication of efforts. Questionnaires were mailed to 2,060 academic, public, and special libraries in the six SWLA states.…

The principal purpose of the survey was to acquire data on U. S. and Canadian transportation library expenditures, staff, processing capacity, modal specialization and geographic distribution. Information was also requested on interaction between libraries and users outside the sponsoring organization, and viewpoints were solicited on needs for…

Data were gathered from 419 science and technology libraries and 281 business libraries on their general characteristics, resource-sharing network membership and frequency of use, current and desired network services, problems with networks, and reasons for nonmembership. Results indicated that more science-technology librarians use…

A survey of interlibrary cooperative projects engaging libraries and librarians in the Baltimore - Washington metropolitan area that could be identified during the winter and spring months of 1970-71 are presented. Cooperative projects discussed included: (1) Union Lists such as the "Journal Holdings in the Washington - Baltimore area,"…

A project studied the need for a national library network which would deal with materials by and about blacks. A framework for such a network was developed. Existing black materials were surveyed, agencies holding collections of such materials were analyzed, and a combined agency network conceptualized. The concept was then reviewed by impartial…

This study explores means by which biomedical information might be distributed over a network to physicians and other personnel in the health sciences. Health Science libraries of all types are surveyed in terms of location, facilities, collection, staff, budget, and services. The library's user group is presented, and cooperative agreements among…

The most significant trends in interlibrary cooperation are summarized and some early examples and developments to the present day are selectively reviewed. Except for a small section of international library cooperation the concentration is on cooperation among public, state, special, academic, and federal libraries of the U.S.A. The efforts of…

In "How Special Libraries Use Networks," a paper presented at the 1982 International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) conference, David R. Bender (United States) advocates cooperation among academic, public, school, and special libraries in the areas of information management, staff services, and acquisition of technology. He…

The St. Louis Public Library conducted a survey of 3 public, 12 academic, and 16 special libraries in the St. Louis area to identify existing subject depths in various collections as well as subject areas in which libraries intend to build in the next five years. The survey data are presented in 13 tables, and the results are summarized. Plans for…

The purpose of this study was to "survey the library resources in the eight Mid-Hudson Counties of Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, and Ulster in order to develop a plan of service in which assets would be shared, resources developed, and services extended." Survey data were collected by six questionnaires;…

The increase in interlibrary loan (ILL) service, the desire of more institutions to share resources, and the unstable nature of grant funds to support such activity, led the Metropolitan Detroit Medical Library Group (MDMLG) to adopt a formal voluntary interlibrary loan agreement in 1970. In brief, the agreement states that borrowing libraries…

This conference was held to bring librarians and users from academic, public, school, and special libraries together to discuss how resource sharing among all types of libraries, for the benefit of all types of users, might be enhanced through formal multitype networking. A conference workbook was provided for participants to read ahead of time,…

Based on 403 responses to a survey of the 980 libraries on the Texas State Library Mailing List, this directory is designed to describe the variety and depth of special information resources in Texas and to provide a tool for identifying special information not readily obtainable through other means. A listing of special libraries includes…