Reference services in public libraries are changing dramatically. The Internet, online databases, and shrinking budgets are all making it necessary for non-traditional reference staff to become familiar with online reference tools. Recognizing the need for cross-training, Chesapeake Public Library (CPL) developed a program called the Database…

Describes the Tacoma Public Library's experience with "BIP Plus," the CD-ROM version of Books in Print. Memory requirements, search capabilities, automatic ordering, and the library staff's response are discussed. Keyword searching is explained as the system's most used feature, and price the area of most serious concern. (EM)

Consumers are becoming more actively involved in making decisions about health care, but librarians have had difficulty providing them with current, authoritative, and readable information. Medical databases provide the best reference to information on most health questions, from the latest breakthroughs to information on treatment methods and…

Reports on comparison of costs of manual versus computer reference service at Deerfield Public Library (Illinois) and Houston Public Library. Costs for online services, equipment, searches per database, salaries, reference books, business reference subscriptions, periodicals, and labor are included. Unknown costs and time involved to answer…

This comparison of online searching cost figures from several of North Suburban Library System's public libraries notes search costs for 1984, average costs for public library computer searches, cost discrepancies, barriers to integration of online searching as a reference tool, searching data, and philosophical decisions. (EJS)

Lists guidelines for education, experience, level of knowledge/skill, and general reference ability to be considered in selecting public library online searching staff. Content of staff development programs is outlined in three areas: (1) general orientation; (2) training in the fundamentals of online searching; and (3) online searcher development…

The Internet is becoming an increasingly important medium of electronic information dissemination, and thus an increasingly important library reference tool. This study examines the Internet skills of a sample group of 15 public reference librarians in the Adult Services Department at the Cleveland Heights Public Library. The Internet skills that…

Discussion of financing database searching in the public library examines the role of the public library in providing access to information; costs of online services; and user fees. Techniques that a library can use to control online services and deliver them at a minimum cost are suggested. (eight references) (MES)

This article provides realities in reaction to myths that have developed around online searching based on experience at Northbrook Public Library (Illinois). Discussion covers experience needed by online searcher, use of the multitude of databases, retrieval of relevant material, and cost. Two reference situations utilizing online searching…

The purpose of this paper is to show the growing use of the World Wide Web to answer questions in the public library from the perspective of a librarian at the Parsippany Public Library in Morris County, New Jersey. Discussion includes the following: information on Parsippany and Morris County; a brief history of the World Wide Web; uses of a…

Examines online searching done for public libraries during October 1984 at The System Reference Service of the multitype North Suburban Library System. Highlights include total requests searched online, total public library requests searched online (by subject category), samples of successful and unsuccessful public library searches, databases…

Reviews the results of studies that have measured manual and online reference performance in public libraries. Topics discussed include librarian interactions with patrons; characteristics of successful online searches; the recall and precision tradeoff; and the cost effectiveness of online searching. (two references) (CLB)

Describes the volunteer-based reference service provided by the Internet Public Library. Topics include advantages and disadvantages, patron needs, the virtual reference collection, the need for more volunteers, and other online question-and-answer services. (LRW)

Describes public library reference service which allows patrons to type out search instructions on a computer terminal, review and select references, and receive, by high-speed printer, facsimile copy of selected periodical articles. Development of periodicals center at main county library and use of self-coaching SEARCH HELPER system are…

Summarizes four options for libraries that want to offer end user searching: end user systems (Bibliographic Retrieval Service's Afterdark, DIALOG's Knowledge Index); front-end microcomputer software (Sci-Mate Searcher, Pro-Search, WILSEARCH); gateway services (EASYNET); and local databases (now available on floppy and compact discs). Advantages…