Briefly describes DIALOG OnDisc and gives an example of an actual search of the ERIC database using this system. The screen displays and search commands are used to illustrate the differences between the easy menu search method provided for novice users and the command search method provided for experienced users. (CLB)

Describes the creation of a prototype CD-ROM disc at the Earth Science Information Center (ESIC) that contained information on aerial photographs formerly held on computer output microfiche. Specifications are discussed, fields of information that were indexed are described, search and retrieval display capabilities are explained, and the results…

Describes a study that investigated search strategies for electronic encyclopedias by observing search activities in a high school media center where students used "The Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia." The teacher's role, the role of the librarian as teacher and as facilitator, student use of electronic resources, and basic skills for…

Provides evaluation criteria for use in evaluating online searchers that were developed by a committee of the American Library Association (ALA). Objectives that searchers should strive to achieve are divided into six sections: technical skills, knowledge base, interpersonal skills, search interview, search execution, and professional…

Discusses the use of optical disk technology in online searching and compares three versions of the ERIC database currently available on optical disk in terms of hardware requirements, ease of installation, scope and cost of the system, search procedures, displaying and printing results, and documentation and user support. (CLB)

This study reports and compares patron usage rates from January 1987 to May 1988 for three separate ERIC database systems at the library at Texas Woman's University (TWU): (1) online searches of the ERIC file through the mainframe computers of DIALOG Information Services (DIALOG ERIC), which are offered in the library reference department by…

Integrating comments from the literature about CD-ROMs, online searching, and information retrieval, this report describes the initial experience of using InfoTrac at Winona State University (WSU). After finding that students did not tend to order fee-based online searches, the WSU library provided access on a trial basis to bibliographic…

Describes a bibliographic instruction project at the University of Central Florida that addressed the information needs of upper-division and graduate business students in case study classes. Cooperative arrangements between a database vendor (Predicasts), librarians, and the management faculty are described and the objectives of the project are…

Discussion of the cost effectiveness of searching online versus searching on CD-ROM highlights an example that compares costs for searching the ERIC database. Fixed costs and variable costs are described, labor costs are examined, implications for management are considered, and the effect of the number of databases and workstations is discussed.…

This document is the final report to the U.S. Department of Education of a research and development grant awarded to establish a fully equipped electronic training room and test the effectiveness of hands-on instruction in learning the NOTIS OPAC (online public access catalog) and the Silver-Platter ERIC database on CD-ROM. The purpose of the…

This article examines the impact of end-users on the information profession and looks ahead to what the future holds. It examines three waves of end-users that emerged with new search technologies: (1) full-text, natural language online systems; (2) CD-ROMs; and (3) the Internet. In the 1980s, when full-text online systems such as Textline, NEXIS,…

Integrating the use of technology-based library resources into the curriculum is necessary for students to acquire vital information-seeking skills. Learning to select and use electronic information sources found on CD-ROM, mainframe computers, and via the Internet enables students to function better in today's information society. This paper…