The University of California Libraries: A Plan for Development (1977)

IV. A University Library System 55
International. On the international level, only the British Library's
Lending Division provides access services that contribute significantly
to the UC libraries' ability to carry out their function.
Materials are of course acquired or borrowed from other international
sources, but the time required and the cumbersome nature of the methods
involved limit the effectiveness of activities on this level. As
many writers have noted, there is much room for improvement here, and
UC libraries may be expected to make contributions on this level as well.
Advantages of the System. The advantages of the multi-level system
described are many, and are further elaborated in subsequent chapters.
They may be summarized as briefly as follows:
1. Through the use of technology already available, a much
greater percentage of the library material available can be identified
and located.
2. Improved delivery systems will be able to provide materials
within the time frame needed and much more often than at present.
3. The resources made available through the combination of
these two techniques will be much greater and much richer than any
campus-based system could conceivably provide.
4. Use of a single cataloging and processing system will permit
much greater coordination of acquisitions and provide the best means of
constructing a systemwide bibliographic data base to facilitate identification
and location of materials.
5. Regional facilities will provide housing for little-used materials
in a more cost-effective way than continued reliance solely on
campus building programs, and will help deliver such materials throughout
a region more efficiently than if they continued to be dispersed.
6. Coordination of systemwide library activities will provide the
optimum library service with the funds available.
In order for the system to realize these advantages, however, it
must be able to perform within the guidelines mentioned, at each level,
and performance must be continuously monitored to ensure that users'
needs are being met. All of those involved, both library staff and
users, must thus be allowed to share in its development, governance,