Computer communications and library cooperation

Abstract

The relevance of computer networking to academic libraries is discussed against its backgrounds : as an essential tool for resource sharing and as an infrastructure for public policies in research and development. Severa! topics concerned in library applications of computer communications are reviewed: academic networks, Open Systems lnterconnection, library cooperative networks and systems, information recording and supplying technologies, and advanced personal computing. Finally, several conclusions ·and questions arising from previous considerations are summarized: relevance of European library cooperation, need for a convergence process between computer centres and academic libraries, cooperation as a requirement for economic efficiency, conceptual and proffessional changes in librarianship, the comprehensiveness of changes, difficulties in bibliographic control, and the sociocultural problems involved in information proliferation.