In the UK the re are a large number of projects being funded for the benefit of higher education within the framework of eLib, the Electronic Libraries Programme. the se range from training in the new technologies which are influencing libraries to document delivery and conservation. Management issues such as the problems of copyright are also included. Many of the se projects are intended to serve as models for future developments in higher education libraries. As the se projects get under way, it is clear that the re are some severe gaps in st and ards which prevent projects from being initiated and concluded in the best ways. As a result of this, as well as the large projects under way the re are some smaller projects within the framework of MODELS, hosted by the University of Bath's United Kingdom Office for Library and Information Networking. Within the UK context and in certain o the r countries, MARC and o the r st and ards like Z39.50 and the ir related profiles need enhancement and recommendations for this are being considered in the UK. Serials holdings are used as an illustration of what is being done to enhance the st and ards in this area and to see the kinds of project that will benefit by this. Thus small but key activities like st and ards making arenecessary to the success of large scale integrated systems.