Discusses the Online Computer Library Center's (OCLC) evolution as an organization, highlighting its nonprofit status, financial philosophy, membership role in governance, collections and technical services, resource sharing, and reference services. Presents a chronology of OCLC products, services, and technological innovation 1967-1997. (PEN)

Describes the genesis, mission, methods of operation, and recent and future activities of the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) Institute, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to promoting the evolution of libraries and information services by providing managers with opportunities for advanced education and knowledge exchange. (PEN)

Discusses statewide initiatives in information services and resource sharing in Kentucky. Describes developments of the Kentucky Library Network; the EMPOWER Kentucky initiative; the Strategic Information Technology Plan; Online Computer Library Center's (OCLC) FirstSearch for resource sharing; and future perspectives. (AEF)

Explores the requirements of archival information systems, as compared to existing library information systems, and suggests ways in which information technology may be used to create systems that accommodate both areas. (CLB)

Focuses on academic and research library networking in Latin American and Caribbean countries (LAC), where a high level of library service has been achieved. Discusses the information challenges of the 1980s and 1990s to LAC countries; networking in LAC; Brazilian information services; the University of Sao Paulo integrated library system…

Selection in a consortial setting is a complex, opportunistic, and often political process requiring an uneasy balance of local needs in conjunction with the group agenda. The issues of the selection and implementation of shared and networked resources, carried out in a comparatively public arena, are discussed. (Author)

Presents a background on the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) partnership with the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) and notes its achievements. Discusses the CIC Center for Library Initiatives; leveraging investments in libraries; maximizing use of information resources; improving delivery of information/library services; the…

Interlibrary loan and document delivery services have the potential to provide a wealth of information for collection development librarians. Insights into book and serial needs, departmental emphases, instructional opportunities and distant learning are available from interlibrary loan and document delivery databases, provided librarians are…

Provides a brief history of library cooperation in America, with emphasis on the latter half of the 20th century. Identifies motives for library cooperation, potential obstacles and keys to success, as well as a nexus between service quality improvement and library cooperation. Describes the role of library consortia in the current electronic…

Discusses early developments in the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) interlibrary loan, including use of OCLC for verification and request transmittal, improved service to patrons, internal cost control, affect on work flow and borrowing patterns. Describes advances in OCLC, including internationalization, electronic information access,…

The University System of Georgia and the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) built the innovative electronic library GALILEO (GeorgiA LIbrary LEarning Online system). This article describes the cooperation, leadership, and technology that made GALILEO possible; the proposal; planning and implementation; governance; current status; and future…

Uses OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) interlibrary loan (ILL) statistics to support a presentation of trends in library access, ownership and resource sharing. Statistical tables and a discussion of ILL activity specifically focus on ILL's increasing technological and economic requirements. Suggestions are made on how libraries may meet these…

Discusses the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) and the changing Asia Pacific library scene under the broad headings of the three phases of technology innovation. Highlights include WorldCat and the OCLC shared cataloging system; resource sharing and interlibrary loan; enriching OCLC online catalog with Asian collections; and future outlooks.…

Explores the cases of two states, Louisiana and Ohio, which found budget problems to be the occasion for concerted statewide efforts to improve academic library services. Both states ultimately established statewide multipurpose resource-sharing academic library consortia, supported by electronic library networks, as the solutions to their very…

This special issue contains eight papers from a conference on library collection development and networking issues. Discusses the library's role and the need for new policies; serial costs and recommendations for resource sharing; evaluation of academic periodicals; partnerships and the relationship of vendors and libraries; and models and trends…