Unlike many university library systems having one or two large general libraries and numerous small divisional collections, the Wayne State University system includes five medium-sized libraries, three of which run their own acquisitions operations. Before the installation of the Nonesuch system in February of 1981, all order and payment records were maintained in 3 x 5 files. At the central technical services department files were kept for on order, recently received, and in-process titles, as well as for gifts, standing orders, and for expenditures. Similar files were maintained at the five service units, especially at those with their own technical services operations. These files were extremely idiosyncratic, varying widely in accuracy and completeness, and were incomprehensible to all but the few staff who worked with them regularly. Records had only one point of access, could not be analyzed for management purposes, and were often absent from their files while being processed. Furthermore, each file was confined to a single physical location. In short, we were not satisfied with our means of accounting for a materials budget of nearly $1.5 millioin.