How it all began

Abstract The earliest phase of automation at Southampton University Library (SUL) saw computer-based 'house-keeping' systems developed in-house to handle the trebling of student intake from 1966. The successful circulation system — the first in the UK needing a daily computer run — led to an OSTI (Office for Scientific and Technical Information) grant (1967–1973) that supported an automation group that designed, programmed, and implemented further systems. During this period SUL had more systems operational than any other UK library. Reasons why a book-form catalogue for Wessex Medical Library and a Library Automation Teaching Package were unsuccessful are also suggested. The management structures developed, and the influence of the systems on the staff, the university, and the library world are described.