At Stanford University, two major projects have been involved jointly in library automation and information retrieval since 1968: BALLOTS (Bibliographic Automation of Large Library Operations) and SPIRES (Stanford Physics Information Retrieval System). In early 1969, two prototype applications were activated using the jointly developed systems software: an acquisition system in the Main Library (BALLOTS I) and a bibliographic retrieval system (SPIRES I) in the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) Library. The goals for BALLOTS II are: responsiveness to library users, efficient operation, generality, performance monitoring, and flexibility for future improvement. For SPIRES II, the goals are related to five areas: data source and content, cost and customers, search facilities, feedback, and record modification. The work of SPIRES and BALLOTS has potential beyond its immediate applications. It can support socially significant research, as in the fields of ecology and urban studies; and with remote terminals, it can provide information quickly and at the sit e of research. Such a comprehensive information facility would be, in a sense, an "extended library;" and receiving daily use, it could be offered at a favorable cost-benefit ratio. (MF)