Research Networks and Libraries: Applications and Issues for a Global Information Network

In 1991, within the inaugural volume of IFLA’s UDT Series on Data Communication Technologies and Standards for Libraries, Gary Cleveland published Research Networks and Libraries: Applications and Issues for a Global Information Network. As the Internet and academic networks began to reshape global information exchange, this technical report sought to frame their relevance for libraries. Cleveland traces the evolution of research networks, explains fundamental networking concepts, and examines how libraries can adopt protocols such as OSI and TCP/IP to enhance services like interlibrary loan, shared cataloguing, and electronic document delivery. The study details projects from North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, while also addressing governance, copyright, staffing, and access issues. Aimed at equipping librarians with the knowledge to participate in the emerging global information infrastructure, the report became a foundational reference for discussions on digital interoperability, standards, and policy in library contexts.