Early developments in the automation of higher education libraries

Abstract

Examines the development of automation in higher education libraries from the mid-1960s until around 1975. During this period the automation of processes in academic libraries progressed from being an experimental activity, often called a research activity, engaged in by few, to being a commonly accepted phenomenon. The period also witnessed a shift away from the collaborative exploitation of computer resources among different departments, academic and administrative, of a single university, towards collaboration among university libraries. Discusses the application of computers in terms of circulation control, catalogues and cataloguing, acquisition and administration. Praises the vision and enthusiasm of librarians who, in the face of opposition from fellow professionals and users alike, pioneered the application of computer technology in libraries.