JANET: an overview for libraries

JANET, the United Kingdom Joint Academic Network, was established in 1984 by the Computer Board for Universities and Research Councils, and is now funded by its successor, the Information Systems Committee (ISC) of the Universities Funding Council. JANET links users to the facilities of over 2000 registered computers on more than 150 sites within the UK. All universities, polytechnics, and the institutes funded by the research councils are connected, as are many other educational institutions. There is also a growing number of industrial and commercial organisations connected, all working in collaboration with members of the academic community. Of specific interest to libraries, the British Library, the National Libraries of Scotland and Wales, SLS, Blackwells and OCLC are all directly linked, and many more suppliers and utilities can be reached through gateways to other networks worldwide.