Parents of Invention: The Development of Library Automation Systems in the Late 20th Century

This fascinating tale of the rise and fall of mini-computer-based integrated library systems (ILS) offers both an explanation of the technical workings—still being used daily—and a historical investigation.

• Interviews with CEOs of libraries and computer companies, programmers, librarians, and library directors from Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States

• References to published material and memoranda and recourse to actual programming code and output from systems of the period

• Photographs of computer machine rooms depicting mini-computer equipment described in the text

• A glossary of acronyms, abbreviations, and special terms used in library automation

• A bibliography of articles and monographs on historical and current aspects of library automation