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.

Until recently, library automation was an optional activity for libraries and limited to a few larger libraries with fewer operations-such as cataloguing, circulation of books, etc.-but the concept has been gaining prominence. Many practicing librarians and LIS schools in developing countries, including India, have become interested in the idea. Moreover, some government departments, quality assessment, as well as accrediting agencies who have been encouraging foundations/consortia to design and develop LIS software for the benefit of their member libraries, are making library automation mandatory. Commercial, as well as open source, LIS software have entered the field with varied processes, facilities, and customizable options (e.g. Libsys, Libris, Newgenlib, Koha, VTLS, e-grandhalaya, SOUL, etc.) The objective of any library is primarily to serve the user community by providing the right information to the right reader at the right time with the latest technologies and tools, but most of the public and academic libraries in India are not yet able to implement automation programs due to lack of funds, as well as expertise. These libraries are encountering customization issues as no software sufficiently supports all library operations according to procedures followed by Indian libraries. Furthermore, these libraries are also facing installation and update problems with Open source software. This book deals with all the current aspects of automation and the issues that need to be addressed while implementing automation in a librarian's respective library. The latest web applications viz. mobile, RFID technologies are discussed in the context of enhancing the effects of library automation. The information included here is designed for practicing librarians implementing automation in their libraries. [Subject: Library Science]

Offers an historical perspective of the past 25 years of computers in libraries, profileing currently available processing systems according to their size and platform. The short- and long-term future of information technology in libraries.;College or university bookstores may order five or more copies at a special student price which is available from Marcel Dekker upon request.

Experts who are active in national, state, and regional network associations provide stimulating discussions of their experiences, problems, and successes. This volume is based on the symposium, "Networking: Where From Here?"