The DIALIB project involved an experiment in providing on-line services in four public libraries. Based on three years of experience, in which services were offered both in a free and fee-based environment, nine requirements for online searching are delineated, and guidelines formulated for public libraries contemplating such services. (Author/JPF)

Describes the ways public libraries make use of the products of the information industry, and suggests areas for cooperation between the two communities. (PF)

Examines the key differences between the information industry and public libraries and describes the computerized Community Information Project of San Mateo County, California. (PF)

Evaluation results are described for the DIALIB project, a three year experiment of on-line bibliographic search services in four public libraries. Findings include users of the system and their characteristics; use of data bases; librarian reactions; and time and cost of on-line searching, both in a free and fee-based environment. (Author/JPF)

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)

Reports the results of a study comparing the performance of commercial document suppliers with the performance of traditional interlibrary loan. The discussion covers comparisons of speed, cost, the effect of publication characteristics on speed and cost, and success rates, as well as implications of the findings for interlibrary loan services.…

Papers on social science documentation and information services presented at the 1982 International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) conference include: (1) "Problems in the Availability of Some Social Science Publications," a discussion by Maurice B. Line (United Kingdom) of bibliographic control of fugitive literature in the…

The New York State Library is conducting two regional pilot programs to provide on-line information services to public, academic, and special library patrons. These procedures and guidelines were written for reference librarians in participating libraries who will act as the intermediaries between their patrons and the search analysts at the State…

Describes and reports results of a project which used computer assisted instruction to teach public library users to search online databases directly. Tables of data provide information on the study participants; their reactions to the instruction both before and after a search session; and their attitudes toward paying for searches. (CLB)

In conjunction with the National Science Foundation (NSD), an on-going experiment is being conducted to test the feasibility of increasing public access to 16 major data bases by providing public libraries with on-line, interactive, retrieval capacity. During the period from January to March 1976, the major activities of the study were: (1) a…

Presents results of a recent survey of over 100 public and academic libraries about pricing options from online companies. Most options fall into three categories: pay-as-you-go, fixed-rate, and user-based. Results are discussed separately for public and academic libraries and for consortial discounts. Trends in pricing options preferred by…

The 18th Allerton Park Institute (1972), sponsored by the University of Illinois Graduate School of Library Science and the Illinois Institute for Environmental Quality, was concerned with "Information Resources in the Environmental Sciences." Attention was directed toward the location, description and use of burgeoning resources in the broad…

Describes the effects of economic factors on information services in Mexico. Topics discussed include librarians' salaries; inadequate library budgets; acquisitions in academic libraries; the development of public libraries; library networks; national databases; microcomputers and library automation; library research; effects of devaluation; and…

This report provides the text of four presentations from a joint meeting of the College and University and Special and Institution sections of the Nebraska State Library Association. In the first, "Cooperation among Multitype Libraries," Sherri Dux-Ideus describes the cooperation between Beatrice Public Library and the Beatrice…

This document summarizes the nine presentations made at an institute on laser disk systems in libraries held at the Library of Congress in May 1987. The first speaker, Linda Helgerson, discussed advances in CD-ROM technology as well as its advantages and disadvantages. Judy McQueen focused primarily on the disadvantages of CD-ROM and urged caution…