Increasing the Pace of an Integral Library System in China: Moving toward the Twenty-First Century

Abstract

Academic libraries in China are transforming traditionally isolated and separated operations by initiating an integral library system (also known as integral system development) to connect all academic libraries nationwide, and to connect them with other information networks abroad. A three-tier network at the national, regional, and campus levels should be developed. This paper describes the current academic library environment in China, the concept of the integral library system, and the major goals to be realized in the next five years.