This paper begins with an overview of ERIC that provides background on the system's decentralized structure, the bibliographic database, document availability, and ERIC publications. The historical development of ERIC from the early 1960s is described and illustrated with a chronology of selected major ERIC events from 1965 to 1991 and a table listing directors and host organizations of Central ERIC, the ERIC Clearinghouses and the ERIC Support Contractors during the same period. Three strategies that contributed to the evolution of ERIC are then discussed: decentralized structure, leveraging with the private sector to achieve database dissemination, and document delivery as an essential service. Policy emphases identified by a 1986-87 redesign study of ERIC are listed, together with strategies for accomplishing these goals; and a review of the current status of the system is given in the form of a statistical summary covering funding, acquisitions, database input, microfiche distribution, publications, information requests, database users, and service providers through the year 1991. That same year was also the year of ERIC's 25th anniversary, and the article concludes with a consideration of ERIC initiatives for the rest of the 1990s, including: the identification, development, and dissemination of materials pertaining to the national education goals; full-text delivery of education materials; diversification of funding sources; coverage and delivery of non-print materials; expanded international activities; the promotion of increased collaboration through the activities of the ERIC Research and Development Partners; greater comprehensiveness of bibliographic coverage; and value-added services. (Contains 10 references.) (MSE)