Discusses the growth in nonbibliographic online databases and machine-readable data files (MRDF) that are accessed offline, and considers how libraries need to respond to the changing needs and expectations of researchers. Textual and numeric databases are described, and three possible levels of library service are outlined. (13 references) (LRW)

This paper describes online newsmedia databases which have been intentionally designed to respond to needs for information that is more current than the information in printed indexes or online versions of these indexes. It is suggested that these databases are useful to libraries because, in addition to subject indexing, they have "word…

Full-text services require more instruction and reference help than electronic bibliographic databases. To relieve pressure on reference staff, librarians at Pennsylvania State University developed weekly "Just-in-Time" demonstrations to help patrons learn how to use LEXIS-NEXIS. This article provides an overview of LEXIS-NEXIS and…

Discusses services offered by CARL UnCover, a commercial full-text article delivery service. The financial savings and benefits of using UnCover to supplement journal subscriptions is presented within the context of a case study of the University of Cincinnati system. (JKP)

Describes a survey of 33 Research Libraries Group (RLG) academic libraries that was conducted to determine the extent to which they were involved in the use, collection, and support of machine-readable text files used in textual analysis. A selected bibliography of research in computer-aided textual analysis is included. (69 references) (LRW)

Discusses the use of microcomputer-based workstations that are provided for public access in libraries. Criteria for workstations are discussed, including standard hardware, open-design software, scalable interface, and connectivity options for networking; systems that provide full-text access are described; and the need for standards is…

Describes the Electronic Text Center at the University of Virginia that contains an online collection of full-text databases delivered through a single search program. Highlights include user support services; use of Standard Generalized Markup Language; users; and providing a model for other universities. (LRW)

Describes the InfoTrac SearchBank based on experiences at the University of Nevada, Reno, libraries where the service is available through the online catalog. Highlights include remote access through the Internet; indexing and abstracting; full-text access to 460 journal titles; a powerful search engine; and business-oriented databases.…

Includes three articles that debate whether interlibrary loan (ILL) is the best way to get public library patrons what they need. Highlights include return on investment; funding; alternatives to ILL, including purchase on demand and online full-text databases; cost effectiveness; and the advantages of patron-initiated ILL through interconnected…

Provides an overview of electronic mail in libraries. Topics discussed include general business applications; interlibrary loan; acquisition and claims systems; document delivery; complete text journal databases; reference requests and answers; obstacles to electronic mail usage; telecommunications; cost factors; and the impact of voice mail and…

Discusses document delivery and resource sharing and their effects on traditional interlibrary loan services. The issue of ownership of versus access to information is considered; alternative sources for document delivery are described, including commercial suppliers, fee-based information suppliers, and full-text databases; and evaluation…

State Library Agencies (SLAs) and library members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) were surveyed to collect data from potential audiences for American Memory products to assist the planners for this Library of Congress (LC) project. This summary report briefly explains the purpose of the surveys; describes the survey methodology and…

Describes part of a federally-funded project at Kapiolani Community College (Hawaii) that focused on document delivery to enhance library services. Topics include bibliographic instruction for searching; customized searches on commercial databases; locating and delivering full-text articles; constructing a World Wide Web site; and evaluation…

Describes a survey dealing with academic library provision of electronic journals and other electronic resources that compared ARL (Association of Research Libraries) members to non-ARL members. Highlights include full-text electronic journals; computers in libraries; online public access catalogs; interlibrary loan and electronic reserves; access…

Discussion of the use of full-text CD-ROMs in libraries focuses on a study of graduate students at Penn State University's Great Valley campus who used Business Periodicals Ondisc. Highlights include a user satisfaction survey, user profile, impact on interlibrary loan requests, cost effectiveness, and impact on subscriptions. (LRW)