Integrating and interfacing library systems

Almost all of the local library systems which were implemented in the past decade have been single‐function systems. The most widely installed have been circulation control systems. Over 900 libraries in North America and approximately 100 throughout the rest of the world have purchased turnkey systems from vendors who supply all hardware, software, installation, training and ongoing hardware/software maintenance. Another 500 or more libraries have written their own software, usually for acquisitions or circulation control. In addition, approximately 150 libraries have purchased software packages from commercial vendors or other libraries. Only a few score have sought to develop, in‐house, systems which ‘integrate’ several functions, though the literature of librarianship has been discussing the ‘integrated’ or ‘total systems approach’ since the 1960s.