One of NewGenLib’s unique features is its support to the development of library networks,
cost effectively. NewGenLib has its own model of network scenarios and this is explained below.

NewGenLib recognizes that library’s exist in many different environments: from a
single library (e.g., in a law firm) to many libraries within an organization (e.g., a corporation
with many branches each having a library; a university library with several departmental libraries
and/or affiliated college libraries; libraries in different organizations but sharing a common
subject interest such as Medicine).

NewGenLib also recognizes that when there are many libraries within an organization or across
related organizations, the functional interrelationships between the different libraries can either be
a dependency relationship or one where each library functions autonomously of the others
but still wishes to collaborate and cooperate in sharing costly resources and services.

NewGenLib defines two types of libraries in a network : 1. Host Library, i.e., one that installs
NewGenLIb on its server (Internet or Intranet), and 2. Associate library, i.e., a library that is
configured to be on the network. One or more Associate libraries do not install any software
or hardware; they use the installation of the Host library.

NewGenLib allows the definition of functional interrelationships between a Host library and
one or more Associate libraries. For example the relationship between a University’s Central library
and a departmental library may be one of dependency with respect to the Cataloguing function,
i.e., the Departmental library will not do any cataloguing of its own. This relationship is defined
and implemented in the network model by NewGenLib.

NewGenLib, uses the above broad model, and provides support to two types of
networks: hierarchical and distributed.