Describes a study that examined the ability of the dBase database management system to perform secondary key retrieval on multivalued data items. The results are presented as time cost relative to the number of matching records, and situations in which a different management system might be appropriate are identified. (CLB)

The current president of the American Society for Information Science shares his observations about the information industry, identifying positive and negative trends, and discusses the role ASIS can play in the continuing growth of the industry. (Author/CLB)

Describes a simplified online service specifically designed for school and student use, which accesses 90 appropriate databases through the use of menu options, help screens, and search hints. The costs of the service and its use in teaching online search skills are discussed. (CLB)

Discusses the problems associated with using connect time as the basis of user fees for searching numeric online databases, and proposes a methodology for user charge estimation based on query formulation and results. (87 references) (CLB)

Provides an overview of the development and use of numeric databases, and of the evolution of user charging methods for all online information retrieval systems. The need to provide database users with advance estimates of charges is discussed, and a methodology for charge estimation is presented. (87 references) (CLB)

Describes the experiences of the American Society for Training and Development library with the CD-ROM version of ERIC. The following topics are discussed: (1) installation of the CD-ROM system; (2) CD-ROM vs. online searching; (3) cost/benefit of CD-ROM; (4) patron response; and (5) future plans. (1 reference) (MES)

Describes the INFOTRAC and LEGALTRAC systems, which provide general and legal bibliographic databases stored on videodisk and accessed by microcomputer. The discussion of the system includes performance of the various hardware components, the assembly process involved, and online searching experiences. (CLB)

Describes BIBTOOLS, a system of programs for microcomputers that accomplish many of the manual tasks involved in compiling bibliographies. Highlights of the system, which is designed for use with medical databases, include input and output functions, combining the software with online literature searches, parsing, and programs that function as…

Describes a computer program designed to manage statistics about online searches which reports the number of searches by vendor, purpose, and librarian; calculates charges to departments and individuals; and prints monthly invoices to users with standing accounts. (CLB)

Compares OCLC, WLN, and RLIN in terms of the composition of the databases, indexes and searching, special uses for public services, costs, and documentation. Selected bibliographies of general public service uses and interlibrary loan applications are provided. (CLB)

Describes and compares three versions of the ERIC database that are available on optical data disks: (1) DIALOG OnDisc ERIC; (2) OCLC Search CD450; and (3) SilverPlatter ERIC. The database contents, software and search commands, hardware requirements, notable features, and costs of each version are discussed. (CLB)

Briefly describes DIALOG OnDisc and gives an example of an actual search of the ERIC database using this system. The screen displays and search commands are used to illustrate the differences between the easy menu search method provided for novice users and the command search method provided for experienced users. (CLB)

Purpose: Sets out to investigate the use of electronic resources by students and faculty of Ashesi University, Ghana, in order to determine the level of use, the type of information accessed and the effectiveness of the library's communication tools for information research. Design/methodology/approach: A questionnaire-based survey was utilized.…

The Connecticut Association of Secondary Schools has worked with the Elementary and Middle School Principals Association of Connecticut, the State Department of Education, and the Connecticut Principals' Academy to bring to the awareness of administrators throughout the state new developments in electronics technology that have significance for…

Describes two interactive computer programs of juvenile literature that young readers can use to search for books they might enjoy reading. The hardware and software requirements, database features, search strategies, and topics included in the databases are discussed. (13 references) (CLB)