The vision of the electronic library

Abstract

In the changed economic and technological environment libraries must review critically their operation and services. A solution to the emerging problems might be the formation of an electronic library. It starts with the creation of computer catalogues of local library collections, and it incorporates also electronic document delivery, interlibrary loan services, use of external databases either online or as CD-ROMs. It is very important to be able to access rarities of the human cultural horitage, manuals, and other delicate documents through networks, especially through the internet. A new opportunity is offered by electronic publishing. Answering the question at the beginning of the paper, it is far from being a luxury to access scientific information directly, by developing the proper environment, the electronic library.