Library networks and regional network systems in Germany

Abstract

After describing the country's library network system, the technological and political criteria of regional network systems in Germany are discussed. Owing to the federal nature of the country, and the recent political changes, inter-library cooperation withm the individual states is being actively encouraged and the participation of several states in one of the country's seven régiónál networks has occurred. The primary feature of network cooperation is shared cataloguing and this is the duty of each individual network centre. Member libraries can participate in this operation if they satisfy certain technological and library criteria. Major developments currently taking place include network íntegration and the introduction of further services, preparing the way for improved international coop-eration (for example the participation of German and Dutch libraries in the PICA project). Closer cooperation at a domestic level, however, is still needed between librarians and technical staff beyond that which presentry exists.