The Nationwide Network and OCLC: A Vision and a Role.
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| Title: | The Nationwide Network and OCLC: A Vision and a Role. |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Brown, Rowland C. W., OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc., Dublin, OH. |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 9 |
| Publication Date: | 1986 |
| Intended Audience: | Policymakers |
| Document Type: | Opinion Papers Speeches/Meeting Papers |
| Descriptors: | Information Science, International Cooperation, International Programs, Libraries, Library Cooperation, Library Networks, National Programs, Position Papers, Technological Advancement |
| Abstract: | Before turning to the OCLC vision of nationwide networking, a review of some of the issues that have influenced that vision are presented, including: technology as a driving force; library and information economics; the challenge of providing ever-proliferating services to an ever more computer-literate end user; the changing role of the library itself--in the university, college, municipality, or school system, and in the professions; the increasing role of commercial enterprises; and the increasing number of technology-driven local options and local cost-benefit considerations that ignore networking in a national resource-sharing environment. The paper then examines the OCLC vision of future networking in the face of strong decentralizing forces including: the continued development of "networks of networks" in the United States that create a nationwide network with no monolithic structure; greater cooperation and resource-sharing among the bibliographic networks; changes in networking concepts to accommodate technological change; and specific efforts that must be made at every level in the library and education community. Finally, OCLC's vision of national and international resource-sharing projects and their role in the future is discussed in light of directions set by the OCLC charter. A short list of references is included. (THC) |
| Entry Date: | 1986 |
| Accession Number: | ED266786 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Before turning to the OCLC vision of nationwide networking, a review of some of the issues that have influenced that vision are presented, including: technology as a driving force; library and information economics; the challenge of providing ever-proliferating services to an ever more computer-literate end user; the changing role of the library itself--in the university, college, municipality, or school system, and in the professions; the increasing role of commercial enterprises; and the increasing number of technology-driven local options and local cost-benefit considerations that ignore networking in a national resource-sharing environment. The paper then examines the OCLC vision of future networking in the face of strong decentralizing forces including: the continued development of "networks of networks" in the United States that create a nationwide network with no monolithic structure; greater cooperation and resource-sharing among the bibliographic networks; changes in networking concepts to accommodate technological change; and specific efforts that must be made at every level in the library and education community. Finally, OCLC's vision of national and international resource-sharing projects and their role in the future is discussed in light of directions set by the OCLC charter. A short list of references is included. (THC) |
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