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)

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)

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

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

Provides citations and annotations of basic information sources for selected aspects of online databases and services, as well as suggestions on where and how to make professional contacts with groups and associations in the field. This is the first "outing" of the journal's new column on online services. (JD)

The director of the Buros Institute of Mental Measurements describes the "Mental Measurements Yearbook,""Tests in Print," the institute's online database, its symposium, and symposium books. Suggestions to librarians for increasing effectiveness of service to users of tests are included. (Author/EM)

A study of the responsiveness of two indexes to patrons' requests for health-related information in a public library compares both the results and the costs of searching the same questions in a printed index (Readers' Guide) and a computerized database (Magazine Index). Eighteen references are listed. (RAA)

Presented are the results of a study which examined the scope of the ERIC data base. Recommendations include a more explicitly stated policy for selective indexing of data base and indexing procedures, and also a consideration of indexing, but not abstracting, relevant dissertations. (AP)

Describes bibliographic tools to aid the librarian in locating standards and specifications in the two most commonly faced situations: when the designation of the standard is known, and when standards on a particular subject are needed. International, government, and military standards are covered. A 24-item bibliography is included. (Author/JL)

A library instruction computer game created at Newberry College, South Carolina challenges players' skill at using the "Readers' Guide," and by noting elapsed time needed to create a bibliography of citations on a given topic, encourages an increase in skill. Computer equipment used, illustrative examples, and five references are noted.…

Discusses the controversy over whether or not libraries should charge fees for online bibliographic services, reviews the evidence for imposing fees, for maintaining free services, and outlines the relevance of certain sections of the United States Code to decisions concerning the provision of information. Twenty-four references are included. (JL)

This overview of the review literature is designed to assist librarians selecting CD-ROMs, applications software, and online databases. Described are specific directories, periodicals, review sources, and indexes that review electronic technologies. A chart analyzing the features of these sources is included. (EA)

An examination of OCLC's EPIC service and standard video reference tools revealed that EPIC was more comprehensive in finding video titles on the popular or specialized topics of bonsai, genealogy, karate, and holography, because of its keyword searching ability on the massive OCLC database. (11 references) (EA)

Describes a survey of academic librarians that investigated issues relating to CD-ROM indexes, including print index cancellations; cost versus other factors in cancellations; database vendors' charging structure; CD-ROM durability; student preference for CD-ROM over print; and effective use without librarian assistance. (22 references) (LRW)