ABSTRACT
One way in which library automation systems can be classified is by the degree of expertise or involvement in computer technology required of the library implementing the system. To date, the most successful systems seem to be those requiring the least involvement by the library management—that is, the national networks or bibliographic utilities, such as the Ohio College Library Center or the Research Libraries Information Network. The costs of processing a computer of sufficient size and maintaining it are very high. Successful operation of an in-house computer on this scale requires a highly capable and expert group of computer professionals as part of the library's permanent staff and a large commitment of space and money by library and central university management. Allocation of computing resources in many universities is conducted in terms of capacity on the university's central computer rather than in dollars earmarked for computing.
