Reviews the benefits and disadvantages of online searching in the context of cooperative reference network services. The cost effectiveness of centralization of online information retrieval services, problems associated with doing searches at the network level, and subsidizing search services are discussed. (Author/JL)

In November of 1975, a committee was convened at Lockheed Palo Alto Research Laboratory to examine the utility of computerized data base searching in the public library setting. Participants reviewed an on-going computer retrieval experiment (DIALIB) being conducted in four San Francisco Bay Area public libraries. Librarians reported that since…

Discussion of the present condition of Peruvian academic libraries from firsthand observation includes descriptions of reference, orientation, and publication services; funding; collections; library use; and librarianship. The vast differences in traditions, resources, and information needs of this developing country and those of industrialized…