Discusses the benefits of the library collection assessment process, and describes how a small community college library is using a turnkey automated system and a microcomputer-based database program to generate special reports and statistical profiles to support an ongoing collection assessment project. (Eight references) (CLB)

Describes current developments in microcomputer technology, including CD-ROM, the 80386 microprocessor, and the graphic user interface. It is argued that, as the information handling capacity of microcomputers increases, the microcomputer industry will increasingly market information to end users, and the library will be challenged to provide the…

Addresses the importance of planning for integration of information-processing technology--particularly microcomputer software and hardware--into higher education in general and academic libraries specifically, and enumerates specific skills that academic librarians have developed which could enhance the library's role as the campus center for…

Provides an introduction to sampling, determination of sample size, and selection of the actual sample that would be useful for librarians conducting research and evaluation studies. Highlights include sampling method, sampling error, confidence level, and microcomputer software packages that help determine sample size. (Contains 26 references.)…

Describes how a librarian, assisted by a knowledge engineer, developed a computerized reference assistance system for a separate government documents department. Rationale for the expert system, problems in selecting reference materials and user questions to computerize, and the formulation of a workable human/computer interface are covered. A…

Identifies characteristics of the international student population and patterns of international students' library use. The students' prior use of microcomputers and their current perceived difficulties in using libraries are reported, and the implications for libraries are drawn. Fourteen tables provide data about student characteristics and…

Describes the Scholar's Workstation project, a campuswide computerization project at Brown University, and assesses its effects on the role and operation of the institution's libraries. Suggestions are provided for other libraries whose institutions are exploring the possibility of a similar venture. (CLB)

Librarians should adopt a teaching role to instruct users in microcomputer literacy, as microcomputer laboratories and software collections are increasingly a part of academic libraries. University of Wisconsin-Parkside has provided microcomputer orientation workshops and faculty seminars in their microcomputer lab for students, faculty, and…

Describes a current awareness service developed for science and engineering faculty at the University of Minnesota that used microcomputer databases, a campus network, mainframe computing, and electronic mail to provide weekly searches of recently published literature. Cost effectiveness is discussed, and results of an evaluation of the service…

A 1989 study at Cornell University compared students' competence, behavior, and preference in searching the ERIC database on Silver Platter CD-ROM systems for IBM and Macintosh computers. Although no significant differences in search success were noted between the systems, the majority of students expressed a preference for the Macintosh's…