Over the past decade, policy discussions about public access computing in libraries have focused on the role that these institutions play in bridging the digital divide. In these discussions, public access computing services are generally targeted at individuals who either cannot afford a computer and Internet access, or have never received formal…

A meta-analytical literature review was performed on the literature in which computerized and paper based information retrieval systems were compared. Specifically, online catalogs were compared with card catalogs, and online bibliographic retrieval was compared with searching printed indexes. Studies which included information on relevance,…

Compares five services that offer mediated access to the Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications--Auto-Graphics, Brodart, Information Access (two services), and LSSI--on 14 points ranging from basic cost and type of media (microfiche, microfilm, laser optical disk, optical disk) to special features or enhancements. (CLB)

Reports on a survey of 631 colleges that investigated changes in library instruction and compared the results with previous LOEX (Library Orientation/Instruction Exchange) studies (1979, 1987). Provides data on size and type of institution, administration of instruction, types and methods of instruction (required, print, nonprint, methods used,…

Outlines evaluative criteria and compares optical data disk products used in library technical processes, including bibliographic records for cataloging, acquisition databases, and local public access catalogs. An extensive table provides information on specific products, including updates, interfaces, edit screens, installation help, manuals,…

The author argues that traditional library cataloging (MARC) and the online public access catalog (OPAC) are in collision with the world of the Internet because items in electronic formats undergo MARC cataloging only on a very selective basis. Also the library profession initially isolated itself from World Wide Web development by predicting no…