PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to recommend a proposed systemic framework for enhancing the application scope of library automation systems.Design/methodology/approachAnalysis of the differences leads to a discussion of the possibilities for integration. Applies related technological practices and standards which were developed for digital archives, and manages existing operational process in libraries and digital library/archives systems.FindingsIn order to integrate library and digital archives systems, the core of library systems should revolve around XML for the standard of cataloguing markup and operate with OAI‐PMH for union catalog and distributed retrieval.Originality/valueAnalyzes and proposes a framework on how to effectively integrate the standard technology of digital library/archives systems with library automation systems.