Development efforts between high tech firms and academic libraries: A case study of one library's experience

Abstract

Higher education will benefit from the adoption and implementation of affordable academic tephnologies. This benefit, however, will be realized only if academics are placed at the forefront of technology development, ensuring that emerging technologies meet the specific needs of higher education. John Oberlin1 This article examines the University of Toledo Carlson Library's cooperative effort with IBM personnel in attempting to design a new and cost-effective method for networking CD-ROM databases. It outlines how the development effort was conceived and executed, and presents recommendations on how such ventures can be effectively carried out in the future. Reiman is coordinator of Library Automation and Sendi is head of Reference Services at the University of Toledo. This article examines the University of Toledo Carlson Library's cooperative effort with IBM person¬ nel in attempting to design a new and cost-effective method for networking CD-ROM databases. It will outline how the development effort was conceived and