Institutional political and fiscal factors in the development of library automation, 1967-71

Abstract

An investigation into the political and financial factors which inhibited the ready application of computers to individual academic libraries from 1967-1971 is summarized. Speculations on the future of libraries in a computer dominant society are also presented. Technical aspects of system design were specifically excluded from the investigation. Some 24 institutions were visited and approximately 100 persons were interviewed. Substantial change is envisaged in both the structure and function of the library if the emerging trend of coalescing libraries and computerized information processing centers continues. Only the development of regional and national bibliographic networks, with the assistance of substantial federal funding can really "save" the library. A failure to respond to the challenge of the computer could be fatal.