Outlines steps in establishment of ALANET (electronic mail and information service of American Library Association): setting program goals; analyzing internal and external environments; choosing vendor; covering operational and service aspects; keeping up, keeping ahead. Support features (bulletin boards, electronic newsletters) and flexibility in…

Discusses the advantages of parallel processor computers in terms of expandibility, cost, performance and reliability, and suggests that such computers be used in library automation systems as a cost effective approach to planning for the growth of information services and computer applications. (CLB)