Seven academic libraries have developed a collection-sharing program. Internal activities, the exchange of information, and group decision-making techniques are detailed and evaluated. Some by-products are described, and a general statement of system value is made. (Author/JAB)

Reviews the history of federal regulation in the communications industry, places the "Bell Bill" in some historical perspective, and relates the significance of activities in the regulatory sphere to the concerns of libraries. (Author/VT)

Recent developments in system use statistics, statistical analysis and research studies by library networks for library decision makers are discussed, as well as issues confronting library networks working toward the improvement of management information services for their member libraries. (Author/MBR)

This description of the Botswana National Library Service (B.N.L.S.) with its central headquarters and 13 branches provides insights into communication problems, development of services, and clientele in an area where books and reading are still a new exciting idea. (MBR)

Experience in Kharkov (U.S.S.R.) illustrates solutions to the problems of co-ordinating acquisition of materials in libraries within a network which have different systems and administrative departments. (Author/JAB)

Addresses the need for liberal arts colleges and the use of available technology/automation to help secure their survival. Some factors to be considered in planning and budgeting for automation are discussed. (Author/MBR)

Describes PHILSOM III, the automated serials system of the Washington University School of Medicine Library. (PF)

Directions and goals of the Continuing Library Education Network and Exchange (CLENE). (KP)

Some considerations for national library and information service network development. (KP)

Lists recent agreements reached by participants in the Linked Systems Project Policy Group on standards of bibliographic networks. The first applications planned in intersystem search capabilities are described, and cost considerations, international standards, and possible future developments in linking bibliographic networks are discussed. (EM)

Describes a communications, materials booking, and interloan system in a Canadian public library system which allows equal participation of all sizes of libraries. The system has reduced the percentage of requests not found, improved turnaround time, is more cost effective, and has generated a higher respect for resource sharing. (EM)

Examines arguments now being presented in support of public library networking and resource sharing and suggests ways to obtain harder evidence that might serve to legitimize these beliefs: estimate benefits, build in evaluation, support estimates of benefits, seek cheaper alternatives for accomplishing same goal, consider alternatives to…

Presents guide intended to aid librarians who are responsible for planning coordinated and cooperative collection development arrangements between libraries and suggests possible contexts, goals, methods, organization, effects, and processes to be investigated while establishing such programs. Benefits, problems, models, preconditions, and…

Describes genesis of New York Metropolitan Reference and Research Library Agency (METRO) and the interlibrary services it offers. Laws and grants, cooperative acquisitions, continuing education for library staff, and suggestions for planning cooperatives (include all types of libraries, develop effective patterns of communication, develop shared…

In Ontario, a library network is emerging, made possible by a group of technically innovative specialists at the University of Toronto, and exploited by others in expectation of the common good of their patrons. (Author)