History: post-WWII

• “A critical mass, to borrow a term from physics, has developed … [as more attend college and graduate school]; as the scientific revolution of the period sees government and industry spending billions on research and development; as the library expectations of a more sophisticated library clientele outdistance the capability of any single library to be self-sufficient; [and due to the determination and] major impetus by governmental policies and monies which encourage their reaching out to those who are book poor.” Michael Reynolds, Associate Director, West Virginia University Libraries *

• Culture, government, science, technology start driving the need for information; ILL picks up speed

• * Reynolds MM. Access to Information. Lib J 89:1692-4, April 1964