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)

SIRC began developing its sport library by building a basic periodical subscription list, indexing the publications, and publishing an index, Sports Articles. The center now has a computerized information storage and retrieval system with more than 20,000 citations including books and articles, and provides a variety of services. (MBR)

Survey to determine impact of online availability on subscriptions to printed publications found 2-5 percent annual attrition in subscriptions to printed publications over past five years is not related solely or primarily to availability of online databases, and evolution of online databases and printed publications as separate entities is…

Provides update to 13-year analysis of finances of major database producer noting actions taken to improve finances (decrease expenses, increase efficiency, develop new products, market strategies and services, change pricing scheme, omit print products, increase prices) and consequences of actions (revenue increase, connect hour increase). Five…

Describes the broad scope of publications and information content in both printed and computer-readable versions of Chemical Abstracts Service Source Index (CASSI), including special characteristics, growth rates, and the use of CASSI as a union list. A discussion of the uses of CASSI which are possible through searching the computer-readable file…

Discusses strengths of abstracting and indexing services (subject coverage, resolution of language problems, systematic indexing) and summarizes sources, countries of origin, languages, total coverage, and indexing of four scientific and technical services--Biosis, Engineering Information, Inspec, Chemical Abstracts Service. Characteristics of…

Provides description of principal database sources for information on current events--newspaper indexes (e.g., INFORMATION BANK, VU/TEXT, NEWSPAPER INDEX); magazine databases (e.g., NEXIS-MAGS, MAGAZINE ASAP); wire service databases (e.g., NewsNet, WIRES, NEWS); and reference databases (encyclopedias, yearbooks, FACTS ON FILE). A list of the 37…

Reviews the development of secondary information services in the arts and humanities, discusses the services currently provided and the usage levels for those services, outlines some of the problems associated with online databases in the humanities, and considers some probable future developments. A 5-item reference list is included. (JL)

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)

Argues that the major forces related to economic factors that effect the future of secondary services are growth of primary literature and expansion of secondary products; migration of use from print products to tape products; new technology and impact on production of products and services; and redefinition of user as end user. (EJS)

Reviews the origin, current state of development, and subject coverage of the secondary access services available to American social scientists, including bibliographic services for the various academic disciplines and a large variety of specialized services for subdisciplines and interdisciplinary fields. A 10-item reference list accompanies the…

Prepared to introduce the user to advanced scientific and technical information services and systems (STI/SS), this guide emphasizes computer searches, helping the user to set the bounds of his or her problem, to define the way the literature is stored in the computer, and to develop an improved problem statement with which to enter the computer.…

The aims of the first phase of the Statistics Indexing and Retrieval (STIR) Project have been: (1) to define the types and sources of statistics which should be within the scope of an operational indexing system for statistical sources; (2) to analyze the use made of statistical sources; and (3) to consider the intellectual, structural, and…

Observations on impact of WILSONLINE (online access to H. W. Wilson's indexes) on the industry, library services, and end users are drawn from interviews with reference librarians, H. W. Wilson administrative staff, and monitors of database industry. Issues addressed include quality, thoroughness, ease of use, and marketing (demand, pricing,…

The history of "The Engineering Index" (Ei) and its parent organization, Engineering Information, Inc., is traced from 1884-1984, drawing parallels between the 100-year evolution of Ei and the 75-year development of Special Libraries Association. Ei's future plans for expansion are defined with emphasis given to special librarian's role.…