The impact of machine-readable data bases on library and information services

摘要

Library and information services already feel the impact of the burgeoning development in the field of bibliographic data bases, and this effect will increase in the future. This article explores the growth, origins, technological development, and current activities of bibliographic data bases and examines the NCLIS National Program relative to these aspects. The relationships between data base function, funding, and use are set forth in a discussion of data base producers. Discussions of data formats, data elements and file structure provide the groundwork for a closer look at the methods and purposes underlying the retrospective and current awareness search capabilities of existent data bases. A review of related data base and data base center characteristics highlights the discussion of retrospective and current awareness search functions and intermediary search services. In all data base activity the prime objective of making available information easily accessible to all who need it emerges as no small task, especially in light of the realities of scattered resources and unsteady funding. Data base networking and resource sharing constitute one means to the achievement of this ideal. The greatest potential of the NCLIS National Program lies in this direction, in its ability to promote and provide a framework for the coordination of data base-related activities and research in response to national needs.