Network Library System: Network Library Information System
A proposal to share library catalogs across the ARPA network using computer systems.
Forman, E., "Network Library Information System", RFC 286, DOI 10.17487/RFC0286, December 1971, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc286>.
@misc{rfc286,
series = {Request for Comments},
number = 286,
howpublished = {RFC 286},
publisher = {RFC Editor},
doi = {10.17487/RFC0286},
url = {https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc286},
author = {E. Forman},
title = {{Network Library Information System}},
pagetotal = 1,
year = 1971,
month = dec,
} RFC text
Network Working Group E. Forman
Request for Comments: #286 MITRE
NIC #8272 21 December 1971
Categories: G.1 & G.2
Updates: None
Obsoletes: None
Network Library Information System
Georgetown University is designing a Learning Resource Center
(LRC), part of which may consist of a system to enable computer query
(hopefully on-line) of G.U.'s Library holdings. The ARPA community
might be of assistance in either of two ways:
1. One or more organizations may have a Library Retrieval
System that they would like to share with Georgetown.
2. Since there probably are needs for such a system at most
organizations, and since it would be highly beneficial
for one organization to be able to query other library
holdings as well, and subsequently arrange for inter-
library loans, the ARPA community might undertake to
design a Network Library Information System.
If sufficient interest in such a system exists, a working group
could be set up to establish the necessary protocols and iron out
details of the system.
It is probable that the NIC could provide valuable inputs to such
an undertaking and perhaps would serve as a focal point for the system
design and operation.
Please contact me if either:
1. You have, or know of a Library Retrieval System that
can be shared with Georgetown University,
2. Your organization is interested in participating in a
Network Library Retrieval System, or
3. You are interested in participating in designing such a
system.
[ This RFC was put into machine readable form for entry ]
[ into the online RFC archives by BBN Corp. under the ]
[ direction of Alex McKenzie. 12/96 ]
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§1Georgetown's Need
Georgetown University was designing a Learning Resource Center as part of its academic infrastructure. A key component was a system to enable computer queries of the university's library holdings, ideally accessible online.
Rather than building this in isolation, E. Forman from MITRE wrote to the ARPA network community asking if sites could help. Two options were proposed: either sharing an existing library retrieval system or collaborating on a new network-wide standard.
A university wanted a computer system to search its library books and asked the network if anyone had one to share.
§2Two Paths Forward
The first option was pragmatic: one or more organizations might already have a library retrieval system they could share with Georgetown. This would provide an immediate solution using existing technology.
The second option was more ambitious: design a unified network library information system that all sites could use. This would require establishing protocols, defining data structures, and potentially creating a working group to formalize the standards. The NIC was suggested as a possible focal point for design and operation.
Either lend your library computer to the school, or everyone work together to design a system everyone can use.
§3Network-Wide Benefits
The RFC recognized that most organizations on the network probably needed such a system. A shared standard would enable libraries to query each other's holdings and arrange inter-library loans across the network, multiplying value for all participants.
E. Forman called on sites to contact him if they had an existing system to share, if their organization was interested in participation, or if they wanted to help design such a system. The effort would build on the collaborative culture developing in the ARPA network.
If everyone's library could talk to everyone else's library, they could borrow books from each other much more easily.