Impact of Technology on Resource Sharing

Book excerpt: Here is an outstanding critical analysis of the impact groundbreaking technologies, both new and established, have had on resource sharing in the information industry. It offers a unique opportunity to explore the possibilities of resource sharing in the electronic information age, beyond the narrow scope of interlibrary loan. This highly selective book not only assesses the technologies that have had a profound impact on resource sharing, it also considers the political, philosophical, social, financial, legal, managerial, and attitudinal issues they have affected. Technologies that hold great promise for revolutionizing interlibrary cooperation on various levels have been included in this important analysis. Impact of Technology on Resource Sharing fosters an in-depth understanding of these technologies by including chapters that range from descriptive analyses of particular projects to philosophical discussions of the challenges of change. It questions traditional assumptions while providing an opportunity to examine the practical technological options available to libraries today and in the near future. This thought-provoking book introduces beginning level library professionals to the changes technological innovations have caused in resource sharing. For more advanced professionals, it is a valuable review of several areas of technology and resource sharing including: CD-ROM union catalogs collection analysis using the OCLC/AMIGOS CD local integrated systems national bibliographic databases/utilities large-scale system interconnection Z39.50 Internet/NREN networking high schools political/social impediments to resource sharing financial issues of resource sharing history of library networking Public service, technical service, and systems librarians will gain a better understanding of technical issues in language that is easy to understand. Library administrators will benefit from the review of issues important to the management and decision making process for the future of interlibrary cooperation and sharing.