Papers from an institute on the university's role in information networks are presented. Two introductory papers define networks in general and consider reasons for their existence in academic libraries. Five papers describe operational networks: Ohio College Library Center (OCLC), Stanford's BALLOTS system, the Minnesota Interlibrary Teletype Exchange (MINITEX), the Total Interlibrary Exchange (TIE) in Southern California, and the Middle Atlantic Research Library Information (MARLIN) system. Factors contributing to the success and failure of networks are considered, as are constraints in the areas of jurisdiction, organization, finances; procedures, and personnel. The final three papers cover the potential for state networks, prospects for nationwide networks, and possibilities and needs for future networks. (LS)