A system in which the function of the library is to acquire, store, and organize materials is proposed which separates the reference function into a group of subject specialists backed up by computerized information retrieval systems. This division of labor is caused by the scientific community's need for access to graphic and other specific (not necessarily book) materials. The Canadian National Research Council has been instructed to develop a Scientific and Technical Information services system (STI). The present plan for a national network is to link existing sources of STI services (libraries, document centers, data banks, etc.) into a referral service network which can direct users to the appropriate source or service. (LS)