Library and Information Science

It is probably true to say that the automation of university libraries had begun when Working Group on University Library Automation was set up by the Association of National University Libraries in 1968 with members representing top 9 universities. Until 1973 the Group's primary objective was to hold study meetings once or twice a year to exchange information and report research results on the subject.

In 1973 the Group was restructured to become a standing committee composed of experts in their individual capacities selected from university libraries in Tokyo district which will report to the annual general assembly of the Association. The committee's objective is to perform more practical research through more frequent meetings and correspondences.

The first phase, e.e., before 1973, the Group's interest was focused on housekeeping aspects of the problem, and in the second phase, computerization of cataloging, particularly its application to MARC II tapes, standardization and networking are on the agenda. In addition to these studies and researches, surveys, proposals to the government, and improved cooperation with the National Diet Library have been realized the final report is expected to be prepared by June 1978 and the Group dissolved accordingly.