On the data processing systems of western European countries. The organization of each system is described in terms of hardware configuration, software and file structure, output and services, and costs. Flow charts and diagrams illustrate the system characteristics. Annotation copyright Book News,

This book, first published in 1988, offers valuable discussions on networking concerns such as governance, planning, economic and legal problems, leadership needs, appropriate products and services, improving the political environment, and more. They address many of the reservations about interlibrary cooperative programs that are privately expressed by some administrators - the need for reliance on other institutions, the loss of autonomy, and the cost, benefits, and feasibility of such commitments. This book's valuable contributions - reflecting the changed environment for library administrators - provide a variety of different perspectives and respond to pertinent management issues.

This excellent reference traces the construction and maintenance of the digital collections and services that have been available day in and day out to users worldwide for more than a decade. It examines applicable guidelines for any library looking to build and manage systems, conduct and evaluate projects, and scout new directions for mainstreaming and hybridizing the building of a digital library. Including contributions from seasoned experts in specializations such as staffing, collection development, and technology project management for digital libraries, Becoming a Digital Library discusses the techniques for finding and training the right people to build a digital library.