Delivering Reference Information Through a Campus Network: Carnegie Mellon's Library Information System

The Carnegie Mellon University Library Information System (LIS), introduced in March 1986, is one of the most popular services the university libraries have offered. Distributed access to online library catalogs and other computer‐based information resources is no longer a novel approach to library services. However, Carnegie Mellon's LIS is unusual in several respects. The search interface and retrieval system, though based on IBM's STAIRS proprietary retrieval software, were custom designed by the libraries’ staff. In addition, since LIS access is not password‐controlled, anyone with access to both the campus asynchronous and TCP networks can use the system. Moreover, the Carnegie Mellon environment is particularly well suited to innovation and experimentation that goes beyond merely providing access from terminals in faculty offices or public terminal clusters. The Andrew system, an extensive campuswide network of powerful personal workstations under development by the university and IBM, is the basis for much innovation in applications of computing to teaching and research. By linking basic information resources to the Andrew campus network, the university libraries will increase the integration of information resources with routine class assignments and research.