The article argues two main points: (1) make decisions about library automation in the context of competent organization, management, and planning; and (2) lay a sound foundation for automation by completing a step-by-step sequence of tasks. (Author/NH)

Discusses problems inherent in planning for a transition from traditional card catalogs to other catalog forms. Some attention is given to the implications of the second edition of the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (AACR II), the lack of an automated authority control system, and difficulties in obtaining machine-readable retrospective files.…

Review of papers presented by Peter Spyers-Duran and Sanford Berman at the Associated Colleges of the Midwest Conference on Management Issues in Automated Cataloging. (KP)

After emphasizing the advantages of an automated library network, the author describes the stages which led to the establishment of the master plan for an automated network for Austrian libraries and to the adoption of a format suited to the specific needs of these libraries. (14 references) (Author)

Discusses networking, other forms of interlibrary cooperation, and the need for library managers to be aware of their role in these cooperative ventures. (CHC)

LCDF (Library Collection Distribution Formulas) is a modular, interactive, user-friendly applications and instructional software package designed to help librarians determine the placement and calculate the distribution of book collections and book sequences in a library, prior to physical collection movement. LCDF is written in UCSD (University…

Various predictions are being made about the future of library technology, but many of these are "paper dragons"--exciting and plausible, but made without real consideration of need or of the possibility of implementation. A review of many such forecasts makes it possible to develop criteria for a logical and credible prediction:…

Interrelated reasons for the Library of Congress postponing adoption of AACR 2 are discussed, and ten suggestions are given which could facilitate the transition to alternative forms of library catalogs. A glossary of contemporary cataloging terms is included. (JPF)

These guidelines for upgrading a local online library system, cover: (1) technical considerations; (2) management issues; (3) planning, including profiling, data file conversion, consideration of add-on programs, and user interface; (4) training; and (5) the conversions process. A sidebar provides data about conversion at the Health Sciences…

Demonstrates the ways in which multiuser and multitasking microcomputer systems can be used for the automation of small- to medium-sized library operations. The possibilities afforded by the IBM-PC AT microcomputer are discussed and a sample configuration with estimated cost projections is provided. (EM)

Discussion of the acquisition of small computer systems (microcomputers and software) by libraries for their own use covers the decision-making process, five options available for acquiring software, stand-alone microcomputer packages for library housekeeping, and national bibliographic control of computer software. Twenty-six references are…

The first proposals for serious research at Lancaster were made some six years ago: the intention was to investigate the real needs of the library users and the best ways of meeting these needs. This article summarizes past, present and possible future activities in this field. (Author/NH)

Describes a method using computer assistance which merges two or more ordered collections, spreads an ordered collection when it has outgrown the space previously assigned it, rearranges an ordered collection, and moves the collection on to a new location. (CWM)

A survey of the status of the federal library community and its involvement with automation was undertaken; the results are summarized in this report. The study sought to define which library operations were susceptible to automation, to describe potentially useful automation techniques and to establish criteria for decisions about automation.…

This article deals with the results of a mini-evaluation of the microcatalogue environment at the University of Toronto Library, carried out in 1977. The microcatalogue environment, the purpose of the evaluation, its results, and how these results are used in decision-making are the main focus of this article. (Author/AP)