Description: This report was commissioned and supported by the National Information Standards Organization (NISO). The dynamic pace of technology change challenges all organizations to identify and select standards on which to base mission-critical programs and services. State library agencies face particular challenges because of the increasing demands that publicly supported libraries provide access to increasing quantities and varieties of networked, digital and paper-based information resources and services. State library agencies are in a unique position to influence the adoption and implementation of standards to support statewide library resource sharing. This study, undertaken in 1998, attempted to bridge the gap of information and understanding about the current situation of state library agencies' use, opportunities and issues related to technical standards.

Description: This report is on a study of state library agencies' information technology standards policies and practices. The National Information Standards Organization (NISO) sponsored this study to gain a better understanding of its target markets. As the national standards organization for the communities of libraries, information services, and publishers, NISO's goal for supporting this study was to understand state library agencies' concerns related to information technology standards. The study provides NISO with detailed information about the current use of standards by state library agencies and a set of recommendations to better serve the standards needs of state library agencies. Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) endorsed the study since the data collected would assist its members in awareness of what each state library agency is doing with standards as well as the standards issues identified by the agencies. The study benefits COSLA by suggesting appropriate leadership opportunities for state library agencies in statewide standards policy development and deployment. The study also benefits the agencies by providing a compilation of their standards policies and procedures, and identifying barriers and best practices related to information technology standards. The structure of this report consists of a number of narrative sections and a set ...