Evolutionary development of library information systems

A library information system is an essential tool for libraries to acquire and organize information resources and to deliver services to users. With the advancement of information technologies, library information systems have evolved from the card catalogue into diverse types, such as integrated library systems, the electronic resource management system, the Amazon.com, and the Google Books Search, etc. This article aims to explore the future of library information systems by reviewing the examplar systems. This study used the case study research methodology to analyze 14 library information systems. The research findings and suggestions include the following points about library information systems: the types of information, the information granularity, the information scope, the information organization, integration methods, resource aggregation, the presentation of information, the software implementation, the social OPAC, the system design, operation models, and access, etc.