Discusses the 10 questions most frequently asked concerning the installation of public library online services. Equipment considerations (choice of equipment, maintenance arrangements, baud rate), choice of databases and vendors, budgets, fees, training, elimination of printed tools, and promotion of the service are covered. (EJS)

Describes a workshop program developed at the California State University Sacramento to familiarize faculty with the library's electronic resources. The broad subject areas targeted were business, humanities, social sciences, and science and technology. Training covered the online catalog, article indexes, and databases. Evaluations of the…

Identifies the questions librarians should ask before adopting local online, and compares the advantages and disadvantages of CD-ROM and site database systems. User reactions to local online are discussed and the impact of such systems on reference services and the reference librarian's job content are examined. (CLB)

Discusses results of a survey of factors influencing database use in public libraries. Highlights the importance of content; ease of use; and importance of instruction. Tabulates importance indications for number and location of workstations, library hours, availability of remote login, usefulness and quality of content, lack of other databases,…

This directory to the cataloging marketplace lists 57 places to obtain cataloging cards and products in eight categories: utilities, catalog cards only-vendors, COM catalog/database management vendors, software packages, Library of Congress (LC) cataloging information vendors (non-computerized), and publishers. Vendors' addresses, telephone…

Reports results of a survey of depository libraries that gathered information on which CD-ROM databases distributed by the Government Printing Office are received and public access to these databases. Addresses and details of equipment used for public access for the 41 responding libraries are provided, and a list of selected databases is…

Written in Spanish, this booklet explains how to start an ERIC collection in a library or information center. Three levels of collections are described: minimal, intermediate, and complete. A minimal collection is discussed in terms of the necessary materials (Resources in Education--RIE, Current Index to Journals in Education--CIJE, Thesaurus of…

This report describing the current and future use of online automation technology in Connecticut libraries provides recommendations designed to assist Connecticut libraries in making more effective use of current systems, in selecting the most appropriate new systems, and by providing a basis for effective statewide planning that will take…

Describes the use of several CD-ROM products to provide access to reference sources in a large academic research library. Equipment and staffing problems and solutions, user reaction, and the impact of optical technologies on the library's fee-based searching service and planning for the future are discussed. (3 references) (Author/CLB)

Provides advice for systems librarians facing the question of when to provide CD-ROM access and when to provide online access to databases for their patrons. Discusses price, updates, effective resource utilization, and determining users' needs. (AEF)

The characteristics of paper or microform library materials, electronic publications, and online databases are compared in terms of equipment needs, cost effectiveness, budgeting, and satisfaction of users' needs. Suggestions for the effective integration of these materials are offered. (13 references) (CLB)

This paper describes the development of online bibliographic searching at Lamar University, a state-supported university in Beaumont, Texas, and the results of a 1983 users' survey evaluating satisfaction with online searching services. Online searching is defined and its advantages and disadvantages are briefly outlined. The equipment used in…

Outlines the evaluation criteria used by the reference department at the Williams Library at the University of Mississippi in selecting databases and hardware used in CD-ROM workstations. The factors discussed include database coverage, costs, and security. (CLB)

The WEBrary(R) databases at the Morton Grove Public Library (Illinois) provide patron-accessible searchable databases, easily available over the library's Web site. Database offerings include the locally maintained Song Collection Index, Obituary Index, Continuations Listings, On-Order files, topical and personalized New Acquisitions files, and…

Through active user participation, Washington State University Education Library was able to provide ERIC computer searching services to students, faculty, and community members with no additional library staff. Specialized training for the two librarians, as well as rental of a terminal for the library, resulted in over 100 searches in 1974-5.…