Resource Sharing Through Integration of an Intelligent Gateway and Library Support Software

摘要

DTIC is sponsoring the development of an Integrated Bibliographic Information System (IBIS). The prototype of this system has been under development since April 1983. It will be used to demonstrate and evaluate the advantages of combining an integrated library system with an intelligent gateway capable of querying and updating -- simultaneously -- heterogeneous bibliographic databases. Queries and updates of databases will be performed using a common language, reliveving the system user of the need to master separate languages and procedures for each database accessed. Users will be able to download and post-process data from external sources. This capability will allow libraries to tailor search results -- derived from external sources and a local catalog -- to their patron's needs and deliver a single product in an economical and efficient manner. The objective of the IBIS is to promote resource sharing in a distributed environment. The DoD model should be of interest to much of the general library community because of similar communications needs of other library networks.