Presents a dBASE III searching/micro tip that will reveal whether any journals listed within a capture log file are in local holdings. An example gives the commands needed to use the ISSN field in the citations to search a local holdings database. (DB)

Compares OCLC's competitively priced online search services--EPIC, designed for librarians and experienced searchers, and FirstSearch, designed for end-users. Discussed are databases offered, ease of searching, holdings information, training needs, and pricing. Appendices of available databases and indexes for each service are included. (four…

Discussion of implications of highly decentralized nature of local government for collection of local documents highlights meaning of access, effect of local government environment on access to local government information, library responses, and tools that can assist libraries in increasing citizen and government access to local government…

Reports a computer assisted index emphasizing expanded subject access to the reference collection of the Iowa State University Library. The index displays abbreviated length records and complements existing catalogs. Limitations of subject access and a system for assigning subject descriptors are discussed. (Author/RAA)

Reviews the special requirements of a bibliographic database, and shows how they are met in the DOBIS-LIBIS (Dortmund Library System-Leuven Library System) system. Full authority file control over the indexes to the database is discussed, and the DOBIS-LIBIS system is described in detail. References are included. (Author/BK)

At a Newspaper Division meeting of the Special Libraries Association four newspaper librarians presented the pros and cons of closed clipping files. The major point in favor of closed files was that they are not as subject to loss and misfiling as are openfiles. However, with closed files close communication is needed between librarian and…

Describes how genealogists visiting the Library of Congress can use Library of Congress Information System (LOCIS) to identify genealogies in library's collections. Search strategies within two LOCIS systems--Multiple-Use MARC System (MUMS) and Subject-Oriented-Retriever for Processing Information Online (SCORPIO)--and the PREMARC database for…

The friends and colleagues of Clarissa Gadiel used this publication which deals with problems which were close to her heart and to which she gave much thought as of means of perpetuating her memory. The publication includes the following papers: "Information Education at the Grassroots," by Hans Wellisch; "Reference Work in Library…

Discusses intangible and tangible benefits of scheduling technical services staff to assist at the reference desk: improved library service resulting from technical-services staff expertise, greater flexibility for reference desk staffing, enhanced bibliographic records for titles in the reference collection resulting in improved retrieval, and a…

Explores current pressures for research libraries to adopt new technologies, myths that impede progress, the question of what resources and search strategies researchers tend to rely on, and attitudes of faculty toward librarians and library services. User needs, convenience, and timeliness in providing library services are emphasized, and…

Summarizing the organizational structure of operations and giving examples of the kinds of services provided, this report describes the establishment, work methods, and achievements of the National Rural Information Clearinghouse. The clearinghouse program maintains a specialized library, a reference service, and a technical assistance service…

The development of CD-ROM following early computers and powerful personal computers will affect information retrieval by its accessibility and large storage capacity. Users will demand specific information and data sets from libraries, which could provide large research capacities. Librarians will act as database managers, thus enhancing their…

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…

Three studies examined public library reference services use by patrons in Anglo, Hispanic, and Vietnamese communities in California. Interview questions concerned search topics, use of staff help, perceived usefulness of search result, successful search strategies, reasons for not seeking help, foreknowledge of sources, reasons for using the…

This manual suggests and describes recommended reference services and sources for a small hospital library. Focusing on reference services, the first section includes information on ready-reference services; bibliographic search services, including taking and processing a request for a bibliography, National Library of Medicine literature…