Laser Disk Library

In the fall of 1986 the Mississippi Library Commission purchased a unique computerized interlibrary loan system. This system was developed by Frank Pezzanite, president of Library System and Services Inc (LSSI). The system was part of a laser disk based union catalog, which can be seen being used in the picture. The development of the interlibrary loan system began in 1984 with MLC providing grants to 27 public library systems to buy hardware and the LSSI software. The pilot project began in 1985 and was considered a success. This new system allowed libraries to process requests within two to five days, which was less than half the time it originally took.

To learn more, visit The Packet Volume 19 No. 4 of 1986.

Happy reading!