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NOTIS and DOBIS are both designed to be technically and functionally integrated. The online catalog is the heart of each system, and all functions interact with a single set of bibliographic files. Both systems are mutually dedicated to the use of similar equipment and standard IBM software products. Apart from these similarities, however, the two systems vary fundamentally in design, each reflecting its distinctive origins. NOTIS was developed in the United States at a time when MARC tape distribution service was already well established. DOBIS was developed in Europe, where machine‐readable bibliographic resource sharing had not yet been established. The design objectives of the two systems emerged logically from these environments.

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so rightly point out, the disagreement in the profession is not over whether academic libraries have to change, but over what, how, how fast, and how much change. They provide a comprehensive and rich discussion of the or·ganizational elements, assumptions, and approaches that have to change. I take no issue with much of the what and how, or with the view that our libraries must initiate self-examination, focus on customers and their needs, emphasize continuous learning, and design new structures that are less hierarchical, more flexible, and more productive. My point of departure is with the how fast and how much. Librarians should draw on the authors' ideas, but must not be taken in by this corporate-model push for immediate revolutionary change.As the authors' views are based on their experience at the University of Arizona Library, so my views are rooted in my experience at the Harvard College Library where we are in our sixth year of an organizational change effort. From that perspective let me say definitively that I firmly support the view (dismissed by the authors) that "for the foreseeable future, the library will essentially be dealing with traditional formats side by side with new technology." I say this recognizing that despite their common traditions, research libraries are diverse and the differences are real. The research libraries I speak for and about are our oldest research libraries serving subject areas in which a very small percentage of information is or soon will be electronic.

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