Barbara A. Butler

Resource Sharing within an International Library Network: using technology and professional cooperation to bridge the waters

The International Association of Aquatic and Marine Science Libraries and Information Centers (IAMSLIC), comprised of 325 members from 86 countries, has a long history of resource sharing based on personal connections among its members. In 2002, IAMSLIC developed a resource-sharing system using a unified search interface that relies on Z39.50 broadcast search capabilities to query individual catalogs. In addition to the IAMSLIC Z39.50 Distributed Library, which searches standard OPAC catalogs, smaller libraries can share library holdings through the online Union List of Marine and Aquatic Serials. Member libraries may submit interlibrary loan requests for items located through either avenue. This successful program may serve as a model for other library organizations interested in sharing resources and extending access to subject-specific materials amongst member libraries.

News to Us: Library Humor Web Sites.

by Janet Webster M ost of you are familiar with the Hatfield Marine Science Center rnyriad of library-related Web Oregon State University sites. Given the wealth of sites and limited browsing time, we thought and you might like to know about a few interesting library humor Web sites. Some Barbara Butler of these sites are devoted specifically to Oregon Institute ofMarine Biology library humor while other sites contain a University o f Oregon more serious treatment of the profession, but also include links to humorous material. These go straight to the point with humor that is both validating and amusing to many of us: