The contribution of social science data archives to social science research is described and the results of a survey of 133 such archives are reported. A directory of 40 archives is given. (PF)

Describes how reference librarians can help patrons use machine-readable data files. (PF)

The study reported here was made for the purpose of evaluating external, computerized, literature-retrieval systems to determine their usefulness in a library without a computer facility. (Author)

Representatives from three companies (Management Contents, ABI/INFORM, Predicasts) explain the coverage, content, thesauri, updating, products, and capabilities of their data bases. A panel of librarians from (1) a special library, (2) an academic library, and (3) a public library report on the use of business data bases in their respective…

A survey of existing bibliographic forms and discussion of on-going services such as the machine-readable system of the American Bibliographical Center. (JAB)

This study compared online versions of LISA (Library and Information Science Abstracts), Library Literature, and ERIC to investigate time lag and duplication of coverage. Six searches of each database were executed over a period of 15 months. Results indicated that Library Literature had the least time lag and LISA the most; duplication was low.…

The Mechanized Information Center, a department of The Ohio State University Libraries, offers to the campus community several batch-mode information services from commercially available data bases. The search request interview provides an opportunity for instruction regarding OSU's computer-based literature searches, automated library facilities,…

Intended primarily for use by authors, these guidelines are designed to serve as a model for the preparation of manuals and workbooks applicable to databases. They may also be used in reviewing and/or evaluating databases. A definition of a database search guide and a glossary are also provided. (CLB)

Five public libraries and three academic libraries were surveyed about their use and evaluation of the New York Times Information Bank. (PF)

Identifies a conflict between the kind of reference service that many librarians of tax-supported academic and public libraries have accepted as workable within their institutions and the kind of reference service that has evolved for those who can pay for online bibliographic searches in these same libraries. (Author)

Reference librarians at Georgia Institute of Technology provide computerized reference service through the Georgia Information Dissemination Center. (PF)

Describes a course which provides students with hands-on experience at a computer terminal, and includes segments on how to conduct a reference interview using counseling techniques, how to evaluate and select information retrieval services and equipment, and discusses the impact of computerized information retrieval on libraries. (JAB)

A computer-based, integrated information system incorporating data and information about the data, SIPP ACCESS systematically links technologies of laser disk, mainframe computer, microcomputer, and electronic networks, and applies relational technology to provide access to information about complex statistical data collections. Examples are given…

Discusses the benefits to patrons and librarians of integrating online database searching with traditional reference services, and makes recommendations for maximizing those benefits. (Author/JD)

Four operational systems for searching and retrieving information from the ERIC data base are described. (NH)