Problems, issues, and alternatives in designing individual, stand alone systems for servicing selected library operations, with emphasis on problems of integrating these with major automated systems, a new mode of operation called coupling, and strategies for dealing with large amounts of retrospective data. (Author/LS)

A discussion of computer services and equipment applicable to libraries considers the industry, the library, processing in and out of the library, programs and programing, system designs, specifications; selection, evaluation, standards, acquisition, contracts, and safeguards. (LS)