Program: electronic library and information systems

Rob Froud

1999 Program: electronic library and information systems

doi: 10.1108/EUM0000000006910

Foursite is a consortium of public library authorities in the south west of the UK which came together to identify their replacement computer requirements, and subsequently went on to share a single system operated by Somerset. The article describes the objectives of the consortium and describes the project in some detail. The roles of the participants are described, and the advantages of joint working are explored. A number of lessons emerged from the project which are described, as are models for contractual arrangements and terms of reference for various stages and groups.

Christine Dugdale

1999 Program

doi: 10.1108/EUM0000000006923

The necessity for closer engagement with the academic community was one of the more important conclusions to emerge from the ResIDe Electronic Reserve Project at the University of the West of England. Academic and library staff must work more closely in selecting materials, promoting services, training and guiding students in using/processing information held on electronic reserves if these electronic systems are to become important library resources. A current study, investigating electronic reserves’ potential role in both supporting current pedagogic practices and initiating innovative teaching and learning methods, has immediately highlighted the importance of developing such close relationships to ensure an efficient and cost‐effective service.

Pat Oddy

1999 Program: electronic library and information systems

doi: 10.1108/EUM0000000006911

An outline of a cataloguing strategy that might be adopted for the millennium is given with reference to how such a strategy is being implemented at the British Library. The first stage has involved co‐operation with American libraries and future plans are linked to co‐operation with European libraries. Such developments involve countries with different languages and different cataloguing cultures and so present many challenges. Finally skills required by staff needed to implement the cataloguing strategy are discussed.

Mirna Willer

1999 Program

doi: 10.1108/EUM0000000006912

Following a brief history of cataloguing and the MARC format this paper describes current challenges in developing suitable international formats and cataloguing rules for dealing with electronic resources. Extensive references to the past and current literature provide an overview of the problems faced.