This book provides guidelines for evaluating a variety of database types, including abstracting and indexing, directory, full-text, and page-image databases available in online and/or CD-ROM formats. The book discusses the purpose and techniques of comparing and evaluating the most important characteristics of textual databases, such as their…

The arrangement of this publication follows, as nearly as possible, the actual conference program. The seven sections represent the topics selected by the planning committee as areas of concentration. Each section includes a state-of-the-art paper and related talks and discussion. The topics covered are: the library of the future, file…

Offers a model for choosing among CD-ROM, end user access, mediated online searching, or locally mounted files as alternatives for extending online catalogs and replacing printed indexes. Estimates of demand and comparisons of costs made at Trinity and Clemson Universities provide a quantitative framework for selection. (Contains four references.)…