This account of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) provides information on its background and origin, and traces the development of the system from initial planning in 1962 through mid-1979. Although this is essentially an overview of the growth of the system, some of the more complex aspects of the ERIC story are included in the…

Discusses the acquisition of CD-ROM products for local area networks based on experiences at the Ohio State University libraries. Topics addressed include the historical development of CD-ROM acquisitions; database selection, including pricing and subscription options; the ordering process; and network licensing issues. (six references) (LRW)

This article presents a brief history of the videodisc and describes three major current manifestations of this storage medium--read-only, write-once, erasable. The current status of write-once technology, major corporations involved in the field, potential uses for various types of storage media, and software and market trends are highlighted.…

Funded in 1979, the Administration for Native American Research Analysis Project (ANARAP), had three primary objectives: (1) to create a computerized data base of the past decade of research about Native Americans (including American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Hawaii natives), especially research concerning natural and human resource…

Reviews changes in online database searching in academic libraries. Topics include librarians conducting all searches; the advent of end-user searching and the need for user instruction; compact disk technology; online public catalogs; the Internet; full text databases; electronic information literacy; user education and the remote library user;…

Traces the history of the National Library of Medicine with emphasis on research and development activities in biomedical communications and information science. Highlights include the areas of bibliographic control, library automation, information retrieval, knowledge management systems, and educational technologies. (CLB)

Considers the increase in the variety of electronic reference options in academic libraries based on surveys of ARL (Association of Research Libraries) members. Discusses online catalogs; CD-ROM databases; World Wide Web access; and changes in library instruction, including formal instruction, point-of-use instruction, and Internet instruction.…

Describes two phases of the automation of library and information services in mainland China. From 1974-86, much effort was concentrated on developing computer systems, databases, online retrieval, and networking. From 1986 to the present, practical progress became possible largely because of CD-ROM technology; and large scale networking for…

This review of the evolution of reference services in the library of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga begins with background information on the university and a brief description of the library's holdings and services. The mission of the library is stated, and it is noted that automation began with internal technical operations in 1983.…

A series of 11 articles describes information technologies being used in the U.S. Congress, the impact of these technologies, and possible future developments. Included are a chronology of key actions affecting congressional information support and a list of readings in information technology and Congress. (CLB)