ABSTRACT
Before considering the great impact in the 1990s of library networking in Latin America in general and Brazil in particular, it is worthwhile to review briefly the recent history and nature of library services in these regions. Generally, libraries have followed international technological trends while concentrating their services on meeting the local needs of their patrons. However, the cooperative initiatives that are the focal point of modern library services have generally been lacking. It was very difficult for libraries with limited budgets and resources to keep pace with the continuing proliferation of information. Libraries began to look at computer technology as a way to automate and enhance their library services as well as modernize them. International institutions, such as the Organization of American States (OAS) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), as well as other sponsoring agencies within various Latin American and the Caribbean countries (LAC), started supporting library networking activities in the region. Local, national and regional consortia were established to develop tools for libraries to meet the demands of the Information Age. This paper will focus on academic and research library networking in LAC, where a high level of library service has been achieved.
