It operates in a distributed processing environment using a client-server model over high speed networks. An extended version of the Z39.50 protocol is employed to handle image data. But the full scale development started in 1993 when the Information Processing Society of Japan gave permission on restricted conditions to digitise all its publications. The number of participating organisations has increased to reach 29 in March 1997, and approximately 800,000 pages from 62 journals titles have been digitised. Most of the holdings are in Japanese, though some are in English.
Users conduct conventional keyword searches and images of selected papers are displayed.
The trial service started in February 1995, with the first three organisations. As of March 1997 all 29 societies are participating. The service continues to be free for 1997 while negotiations on copyright with those organisations will take place in view of starting a full-fledged service in 1998. It is planned to start a full service in 1998. The Mandala Library is the only operational electronic university library.