Objectives of this study were to assess public library history, current status, trends, and problems and to suggest approaches to improvement. Trends indicate a new era of library and information services, making it necessary for librarians to decide whether the public library will be an active or passive institution for public enlightenment and…

During the first half of the twentieth century, there was slow but steady progress toward larger units of public library service, such as county and regional systems. But there was a lag both in the conceptual and the actual development of the central libraries of these systems as strong points for direct service to readers. Librarians were first…

The Association of State Library Agencies presents a compilation of data from the 50 state libraries. Information for each state includes name of agency, place in state government organization, powers and duties, purpose and scope of responsibility, organizational structure, personnel, names of key staff, major functional categories, major…

The operation of the Ohio College Library Center (OCLC) on-line bibliographic system in Texas and New Mexico Libraries was evaluated. The economic aspects of automated cataloging and card production were compared with previous methods; the effectiveness of the system as a tool for pre-order searching was evaluated; and the impact of the system's…

BALLOTS is a computerized system to support acquisitions and cataloging in the Stanford University Libraries. The system is divided into ten computerized functions, each supporting a specific type of library processing. The library staff communicates on-line with the system using four on-line files for searching: the MARC file, the In Process…

In its second year of activity, the Northeast Academic Science Information Center (NASIC) program of the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) has assisted 18 universities and colleges in the Northeast in the implementation of local capabilities to provide computer-based reference services. Working through the libraries at these…

The development of a mathematical model of the Illinois Library and Information Network (ILLINET) is described. Based on queueing network theory, the model predicts the probability of a request being satisfied, the average time from the initiation of a request to the receipt of the desired resources, the costs, and the processing loads. Using a…

Financial and operational data and brief program descriptions are provided for the projects of fiscal year 1974-75 funded in South Carolina under the Library Services and Construction Act. Projects include the strengthening of collections and services, service to the handicapped and those with special needs, film programs, and library networking.…

The May-June, 1975, issue of Wisconsin Library Bulletin contains articles about library cooperative programs and networks. Subjects covered include: library network planning and definitions of terms; views on the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science program by school, public, academic, and state librarians; the Midwest Library…

The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) inhouse library systems fall into two principle categories: basic library inventory systems and literature retrieval systems. Currently, the library network supports three inventory systems: the journal system; the hard bound book system; and the circulation system. At the same time, five efforts are…

The cost and funding studies project of the proposed Western Interstate Bibliographic Network began activities in July 1975. Major activities during the third quarter included: (1) renaming of the program to Western Interstate Library Coordinating Organization (WILCO) to reflect the facilitating and coordinating role anticipated for the entire…

The role of public services librarians in collection development is examined in light of changes being brought to libraries by finances, cooperation, and information access. Highlights include situation in academic and special libraries, attributes of successful reference librarians and choices affecting collection developing, collection…

Describes three projects implemented by the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale's library that are designed to empower the patron: (1) patron-initiated borrowing; (2) Interlibrary Loan Link on FirstSearch databases; and (3) implementation of Web-based interlibrary loan request forms. Explains the role of institutional support and…

The Utah Library Network established Internet access in public libraries serving rural communities. It was a cooperative effort between the Utah State Library, public libraries, Utah State University, and state and local governments. Uses include supplementing small library collections, electronic mail, and facilitating interlibrary loans. An…

Describes the role, users, collections and services of the National Agricultural Library. Some of the services discussed include a machine readable bibliographic database, an international interlibrary loan system, programs to develop library networks and cooperative cataloging, and the development and use of information technologies such as laser…