Network Library System: Network Library Information System
A request to explore sharing library retrieval systems across the network.
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 ]
ISO Plain Language
On this page
§1Georgetown's Library Query Need
Georgetown University was designing a Learning Resource Center that might include an online way to query the university's library holdings. The RFC asks the ARPA community whether it could help.
One possibility was for an organization to share an existing Library Retrieval System with Georgetown.
Georgetown was considering an online system for searching its library holdings. The RFC asks whether another organization could share a system it already had.
§2A Network Library Information System
The RFC presents a second option: the ARPA community could design a Network Library Information System. The author notes that many organizations may need such a service and that users could benefit from searching other libraries and arranging inter-library loans.
If interest were sufficient, a working group could establish protocols and resolve system details. The NIC might contribute and possibly act as a focal point for design and operation.
Network organizations could work together on a shared library system. A working group could define protocols if enough organizations were interested.
§3Request for Interest
The RFC asks readers to contact the author if they know of a system that could be shared with Georgetown, if their organization wants to participate in a retrieval system, or if they want to help design one.
The author asks organizations to report existing systems, interest in using one or willingness to help design it.