Discussions summarized in this report focused on the relationships between individual libraries and the bibliographic utilities, as well as the options available to the library and information communities for preparing, sharing, and gaining access to machine-readable records. Issues discussed fall into three categories: (1) ownership and…

With the scholarly record growing faster than funds to employ individuals in libraries to process materials for storage and distribution, libraries must use electronic data processing equipment to distribute such information. The electronic world, however, requires that different interinstitutional relationships be established. Although the…

Details the design, financial support, organizational structure, and evolution of a program to facilitate the automation of small public libraries in Massachusetts and to promote resource sharing among those libraries. A sidebar by Governor Dukakis expresses his views on the role and importance of libraries. (MES)

This paper describes the state of library resource networks in Canada, raises issues that must be faced by the Resource Network Committee of the National Library Advisory Board, and outlines some of the resource sharing measures and experimental projects undertaken by the National Library of Canada, the Canadian Book Exchange Centre, and other…

Identifies the questions librarians should ask before adopting local online, and compares the advantages and disadvantages of CD-ROM and site database systems. User reactions to local online are discussed and the impact of such systems on reference services and the reference librarian's job content are examined. (CLB)

The proceedings of this symposium contain the texts of 21 presentations: (1) "The Alexandriana Library: A New Opportunity in International Library Cooperation" (Stuart Ede); (2) "Conservation, Culture and Curriculum" (Brendan Loughridge); (3) "European Library Cooperation: An EC (European Community) Standpoint"…

Tabulation of an academic library's record of improved success rate and fill time for interlibrary loans utilizing the OCLC interlibrary loan subsystem supports continued use of four common-sense rules: use OCLC first; use other union lists next; select smallest nearby library; spread requests among small libraries. Twelve references are cited.…

Describes the Freedom Forum International Library Network that has been established in Central and Eastern Europe since 1992 to provide journalists in formerly Communist countries with current, accurate information through print materials, online databases, and CD-ROMs. Plans for future expansion are also discussed. (LRW)

A 2-phase study evaluated the existing reference referral network in California, and developed and evaluated two alternative designs, one organization-based and the other formula-based. The evaluation phase consisted of the following tasks: (1) a survey of all public libraries and cooperative systems of the state regarding their priorities for and…

Reviews meaning and theory of library collections and structure and enumerates ways that data on collections can be organized to reveal underlying global structure (links and connections between collections, parts of collections, and users of collections). Definitions of terms applying to eight models described in text are appended. (53…

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…

Interlibrary loans in the Federal Republic of Germany are facilitated by applying techniques of data processing and computer output microfilm (COM) to the union catalogs of the national library system. The German library system consists of two national libraries, four central specialized libraries of technology, medicine, agriculture, and…

Based on interviews with OCLC staff, network directors, and librarians in member libraries, and related literature review, it is recommended that OCLC take steps to improve statistics it currently makes available and to consider leadership role in helping libraries use microcomputer technology to provide statistics for library management. (27…

The Task Group advocates the development, with the guidance and support of the National Library of Canada, of a Canadian Library Network with the objectives of equalizing opportunity for access to information and making use of total Canadian library resources more cost-effective. This network would be composed of three interrelated components--a…

Examines vendors' views on the future of CD-ROM technology. Topics include the library role, single point access, costs, tape backup, user-friendly library automation systems and databases, improved quality, the growth of Internet access, and perspectives on technology in schools. (AEF)