Library automation in European Community countries: an overview

Abstract

More than 1,300 large integrated library systems are installed in the EC (European Community) member countries. This figure represents a growth rate of more than 525% over the last five years. New suppliers have achieved some 36% of the market. The number of suppliers of large integrated systems has increased from 12 in 1986 to more than 30. More than 3,600 small integrated systems have been installed by some 40 different suppliers shown in a study carried out in 1991 as background for the Commission of the European Communities (CEC) action under the Libraries Programme. Brief details of the main systems used in the 12 EC countries are given.