Backing Into Network Operations

Abstract

When asked to participate in this clinic, I gave the tentative title "Backing Into Network Operations" for my paper because I thought it might be useful to discuss some principles of planning for and consensus making within networks which I had derived the hard way from my experience directing two computer-based networks-networks which were entered into by chance rather than design. (In addition, the Washington University School of Medicine Library is a member of three other networks: the Regional Medical Library, the Regional Medical Program, and the Higher Education Coordi- nating Council, so that we have experience on both sides of networks.) It seemed that it might be helpful to examine the mistakes which we made and the generalized conclusions which we might draw from them as hypotheses to be tested in other networking operations, as well as a comparison with some other, more carefully planned, networks now in existence. I therefore devote the beginning of my paper to describing the two networks we have been involved in, merely as background to understanding, and not as another "How I do it good in my library" paper.published or submitted for publicatio