Discussion of union catalogs and bibliographic networks covers library cooperation, interlibrary lending, the British Library Lending Division, and other functions of bibliographic networks such as cataloging. Criticisms of bibliographic utilities are also presented, including the negative effect of library cooperation on local book availability.…

Examines the dilemmas of participation in resource sharing library networks and proposes solutions based on shifting inducements toward contribution by remunerating the contributing library for the unit cost of original cataloging. A "contribution pricing" model recently announced by OCLC is also evaluated as a possible solution. (21…

Highlights both the benefits and the problems associated with networking in libraries and discusses circumstances that are forcing information centers in the Arabian Gulf region to begin thinking about library networking. Topics include governing models, resource sharing, timeliness, cost effectiveness, currency, reliability, and a union catalog…

Reports the methodology and results of a study which explored the potential of three approaches to sampling the Australian Bibliographic Network (ABN) database files for determining collection overlap among Australian libraries. (Author/CLB)

Examines the impact of electronic communications systems on library networking, using such examples as interlibrary loans and union catalogs to illustrate the effects of telecommunications on library services. The need for strict adherence to library standards in order to ensure continued library cooperation is discussed. (CLB)

This paper is based on the results of the study of the Work Group of Bibliographic Standards for the Greek union catalog, the first stage of Greek academic library union catalog development. The first section lists the objectives of the union catalog. The state of the art of Greek academic libraries is discussed in the second section. The lack of…

Describes the background of the Linked Systems Project, which is designed to link existing bibliographic utilities into a national system of machine-readable bibliographic data and discusses directions being taken by the library community and why the OSI architecture was selected as the system protocol. (CLB)

This paper discusses GAELIC (Gauteng and Environs Library Consortium), a regional consortium of South African higher education libraries with the vision of creating a virtual library by linking together autonomous libraries via networks. Topics covered include: (1) GAELIC objectives; (2) selection of INNOPAC as the common library system for GAELIC…

This theme issue discusses the Illinois Library and Information Network (ILLINET). Topics addressed include network components, the interlibrary loan code, the resource sharing union catalog, the OCLC users' group, OCLC's EPIC service, access to indexing services, SILO (Serials of Illinois Libraries Online) members, and excerpts from the…

Describes the growth of library networking activities in the General Electric Company. Topics discussed include complications resulting from the decentralized nature of the company; information services offered through the network; memberships in local networks; and plans for the creation of an online union catalog. (CLB)

Describes participation by Sri Lanka in the HELLIS (Health Literature, Library and Information Services) Network, which links libraries for sharing health information resources at the national and regional levels. Highlights include establishment of the program; background, scope, function, and resources of participating libraries; and current…

This paper discusses the current operations and future activities of the Minnesota Interlibrary Telecommunications Exchange (MINITEX) and the Illinois Library and Information Network (ILLINET), two state networks established in the 1960s with the common goal of cooperation to provide library resources to their citizens, but with independent…

This paper describes the interlending system in the Netherlands and examines the country's union catalogs, the main instrument in the interlending procedure. An overview of the integrated interlending system is provided; the union catalogs of the Royal Library in The Hague, the Technical University Library at Delft, and the library of the…

Describes a program of national collection building designed to provide universal availability of publications in the Federal Republic of Germany in the context of historical traditions, the development of a cooperative acquisition program, financial support, and methodological aspects of the system. (CLB)

The purpose of this manual is to assist libraries throughout Alabama in requesting materials and information through the Alabama Library Information Network (ALIN). Designed as part of an ongoing effort that will be updated, the guide contains profiles of the interlibrary loan policies from academic, public, special, and junior college libraries…