Creating a Statewide Resource Sharing System in Michigan

摘要

Resource sharing among libraries is a twentieth century innovation and did not become commonplace until the latter half of the century. Libraries at the turn of the century were self-contained, and the goal of library service was to educate and enlighten. Libraries as a source of popular entertainment had yet to emerge. As libraries became more sophisticated, they began to expand their missions and became information providers, popular entertainment repositories, and community centers. At the same time, interlibrary cooperation took hold. By the end of the century, resource sharing had become accepted as a common goal among almost all libraries. Systems such as OhioLINK, GALILEO, and MOBIUS were exploited technology to deliver library materials from one library to another, quickly and easily, and at the direct request of library users.