Examines range of coverage and principles of inclusion of dissertations in PsycINFO by comparing searches done on PsycINFO and Dissertation Abstracts Online. Searchers are advised to be skeptical about the accuracy and completeness of vendor documentation and the practical journal literature. Search strategies used are appended. (eight references)…

Presents guidelines for the development and evaluation of training sessions for the use of electronic information resources. Outline includes audience level, content, audience size; registration/publication, length of session, trainer's experience, location and facility, workstations, handouts, other equipment and resources, type of presentation,…

Examines the provision of in-person help to users seeking information on online public access catalogs (OPACs). A significant change in the demand for service was identified when there was a change from offering traditional from-the-desk service to point-of-use help at the OPAC terminals. Results suggest that while it is important to continue to…

Analyzes computerized reference and information services with respect to problems in the areas of (1) communication barriers between the user and the information specialist; (2) local resources development; (3) external resources policy; (4) search strategy development; and (5) artificial intelligence. (24 references) (Author/MES)

Review of literature describing use of Research Libraries Information Network (RLIN) in reference service shows that, although most authors ably describe RLIN's potential, very few have tested this potential in any meaningful way. It is suggested these impressions of usefulness do not justify expense of RLIN's use in reference service. (MBR)

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…

Presents microcomputer-based information retrieval system in public access mode and describes preparations, procedures, and use developed and recorded during first year of operation at Louisiana State University. A detailed analysis of month-long free trial period (user status, major areas of study, subjects searched) and 10 conclusions and…

Instructional objectives developed by Direct Patron Access to Computer-Based Reference Systems Committee, American Library Association, are designed to facilitate library instruction where online systems are used directly by patrons, and intended for librarians who are devising instructional programs for online systems in school, special, public,…

Discusses the need to reevaluate bibliographic instruction in academic libraries for an expanded online environment based on experiences at Moorhead State University (Minnesota). Topics addressed include the addition of databases to local online catalogs; student searching; search patterns; database characteristics; student search skills; library…

Discusses several concerns about nature of online public access catalogs (OPAC) that have particular import to reference librarians: user passivity and loss of control growing out of "human-machine interface" and the larger social context; and the tendency of computerized bibliographic systems to obfuscate human origins of library…