This publication specifies a set of general and technical requirements that must be met by the proposed Name Authority File Service in order to create an integrated, consistent name authority file for a nationwide library and information services network. Contributions from selected institutions operating online to a single computer-based system will provide the input to the file, which will be made available to the nation's libraries in a variety of formats. Chapters identify the purpose of the system, its functions, its administration and maintenance, its user-oriented system outputs (printed, computer-output microform, and machine-readable), and its user-oriented system inputs. The initial loading of data, interfaces with other systems, and system design constraints are described. Appendices provide a display of the LC/MARC communications format specified for use in the Name Authority File Service and the proposals for file quality control. (FM)