URN_NBN_SI_DOC-BYKHULFG

THE COMPUTERIZED NETWORK IN ISRAELI UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES Nurit Roitberg Elyachar Central Library, Technion-Israel Institute o f Technology, Haifa, Israel The last five years have been a period of electronic revolution in Israeli university libraries. During these years large-scale computerization has been carried out. Introduction of the automated systems to the libraries improved both local library services and the level of resource sharing among the libraries. A national network has been created under the auspices of the govern­ mental office which finances the universities. The aim of this network is to improve co-operation among the libraries. The network is governed by a committee in which library directors are members. This committee is responsible for preparation and supervision of software development. Maintenance of the software is performed centrally. All university libraries use the same software on the same type of hardware. Each participating library had to accept this basic condition in order to receive the special grant for the acquisition of a computer and software. „Aleph", an integrated library system developed in Israel, has been chosen to be the network software. The same search codes are used in all university libraries. This sim ­ plifies use for the readers. The libraries' computers are connected by special telecommunications lines. MARC cataloguing data are held on the central network computer. Future plans include installation of a facsimile network among univer­ sity libraries in order to speed up delivery of requested documents. 48 Knjižnica. Tematska št. 1ATUL 1989