Satellite Communication: Some Implications for Librarie

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
From 1985 ‘an emerging set of communications services…will use the national domestic satellite…’. This paper examines a number of implications for libraries, including information retrieval, shared cataloguing and teleconferencing; the author has some reservations regarding the use of a satellite for these purposes. It also suggests that rare or fragile items such as the National Library's historical films might be safely exploited by many more users via a video link. The possibility of using facsimile transmission via a satellite for interlibrary loans is also explored, with some tentative, but optimistic conclusions, it being noted that the possibilities examined do not represent ‘a continuation of previous library considerations of fax.’ In conclusion, however, the article suggests that the instances wherein satellite communication might be relevant and cost-effective for libraries will be rare.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: