Three major difficulties in establishing effective cooperative conservation programs are: (1) the problem of allocation of responsibilities for preserving individual items; (2) the lack of people adequately trained in physical preservation; and (3) the need for a national initiative in preservation. (PF)

A collection of short essays by Alphonse Trezza, Edwin Beckerman, Albert De Caprio, Marilyn Gell, Ed Sayre, Elizabeth Hage, and Shirley Echelman on the development of library networks and the possible implications of the establishment of metropolitan library authorities.

Discusses the growth of library consortia that has been largely driven by the rise in cost and quantity of electronic journals and products. Highlights include activities in addition to purchasing agreements, including staff development, distance learning, and minority recruitment; national consortia; database pricing; vendor opinions;…