Sketches author's views of the Center for Research Libraries (CRL), a cooperative library owned by over 100 academic and research libraries, and considers possible future directions. Growth and expansion, center services and collections, challenges to be met (commitment, resource sharing, goals), and CRL as model for academic world are discussed.…

Reviews functions, growth, and performance of Indian national and public libraries and proposes a plan of action covering: administrative infrastructure, library legislation, library resources, resource utilization, depository libraries, resource sharing, public library clientele, role of private organizations, staffing pattern, financial…

The British Council Global Cataloging Service was initiated in 1980 to reduce duplication of cataloging same titles in council libraries abroad. Each of 56 council libraries participating in system receives list of new accessions and updated microfiche catalog. Portugal was one of the first six countries chosen to test the system. (EJS)

Review of reports and surveys on existing and developing network organizations covers scope and literature sources; networks (structure and governance, management, national, state multi-type, and single-type network surveys and studies); bibliographic utilities (comparisons, characteristics and functions, linking utilities, automated catalog);…

Discusses the development of a research library at Rice University, whose first and only library building is less than 40 years old, highlighting the founding of the University in 1912, the Fondren Library building, library collections and cooperation, fee-based services, automation and the future, and problems and prospects. (EJS)

Explains objectives of research on development of an online public access catalog using a proprietary microcomputer network being conducted by the Polytechnic of Central London; examines background of existing local area library networks, problems of network system design, and advantages of distributed processing; and summarizes research…

Discussion of the effect of computer technology on library automation and networking highlights added benefits and added costs, autonomous past, pressure for standardization, rise of bibliographic utilities (e.g., OCLC, Research Library Information Network, Washington Library Network), return to decentralization, distributed processing,…

This essay defines traditional library technical services (acquisition, cataloging, processing, circulation control) and addresses questions concerning impact of automation on future of these services in following areas: professional and paraprofessional staff, reorganization, relationship between technical services and other areas of library,…

Examines hypothesis that it is technologically and economically feasible to move content of documents electronically among library network rather than documents themselves or photocopies thereof. Comparisons on basis of response-to-request time, quality of reproduced copy, cost factors, a three-node network, and economic study are highlighted. Six…

Non-technical factors contributing to Triangle Research Libraries Network development are outlined: history of cooperation, common interests, Title II-C and other funding, core of advocates, and organizational structure. Contribution of these factors to overcoming obstacles (lack of funds, divergent interests, balance of power, desire for quick…

Reports on research undertaken to develop model for planning and evaluating regional multitype library networks that engage in resource sharing. Identification and interdependence of eight organizational variables (planning, governance, funding, communication and delivery, configuration, administration, evaluation, and success) based upon members'…

Interlibrary loan statistics for Association of Research Libraries' university libraries were analyzed from 1974-75 through 1982-83 to determine extent to which interlibrary loan activities have grown and to consider implications of growth. Annual percentage growth in lending and borrowing activities for photocopies and originals are reported. Ten…

The objectives of the Alabama Public Library Service are to: provide library services to the citizens directly or through local libraries; provide library services for those with special needs through the Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; provide library services to employees of the State of Alabama to meet their…

The 1996 Legislature directed the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office (HESO), in cooperation with the Library Planning Task Force to, "create a plan and process to develop a statewide on-line information system for libraries"; this memo with attached information was submitted in fulfillment of that request. The name chosen for the…

This publication provides a directory of Alabama Public Library Service libraries, single-county public library systems, multi-county public library systems, and multi-type library systems, and presents a 1998 statistical report. Individual library statistics are tabulated for public library systems on: service outlets, staff, and hours; print and…