The Use of Computers in British Libraries and Information Services: an Analysis

Abstract

The first section of this article is a brief statistical overview of operational computer applications in UK libraries, and of other UK computer‐based information services. In March 1973, 135 UK libraries had a total of 425 operational computer applications run on a total of 146 computers. In 1972, 12 British organizations supplied a total of 23 magnetic tape and other computer‐aided information services. The second section of the article reviews UK computer‐related research and development activity in the library/information field. It estimates that in 1972 there were about 60 formal British projects having an annual total expenditure rate in the region of £540 000. £327 000 of this expenditure on computer‐related projects in the library/information field was accounted for directly by OSTI grants and contracts. OSTI expenditure is analysed over the five year period 1969/70 to 1973/74. British Library research and development priority areas associated with the Library's operational services are identified. The final section of the article argues the need for a publicly formulated UK policy relating to the development of libraries and information services generally, and to the development of a national machine‐readable bibliographic information network in particular.