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…

Considers the quality of bibliographic control achieved by the three online databases offering significant coverage of the literature of librarianship: ERIC, LISA, and Library Literature. Focusing on coverage and indexing, the study compares online search results with the tables of contents of 67 journals and reports the results. (27 references)…

Describes the availability of databases held on DIALOG, ESA-IRS, and DATA-STAR. Database overlap among the systems, prices, database contents, and data transmission costs are addressed; and results of a search of the ENVIROLINE database on each system are presented. The appendix lists subjects referenced on each system and compares database…

A survey of business librarians at schools offering graduate degrees in business showed that: (1) most librarians search databases other then those related to business subjects; (2) most searches are for citations to articles; (3) most searches are paid for on a cost recovery basis; and (4) most librarians do searches for off-campus patrons.…

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…

Describes responses of 19 Louisiana academic libraries to questionnaire designed to determine scope and conduct of academic online searching search services. Telecommunications networks, terminals, patrons, library search procedures, methods of charging fees, special features, selective dissemination of information, computer searching by…

Use of online bibliographic databases as ready-reference sources was evaluated in five-month study at three reference areas in University of Arizona Library. Equipment and training requirements were analyzed, and statistics were collected on databases searched, costs per search, question type, and patron and staff reactions. Ready-reference…

An experiment investigated whether the format in which information is stored affects the outcomes of ready reference transactions in terms of efficiency and accuracy. Results indicate that bibliographic questions are more efficiently answered online, while factual questions are more efficiently answered with print sources. Results of the study are…

Detailed analysis of 462 university faculty search request forms identifies similarities and differences among representatives of academic disciplines in their approaches to seeking information online. Search particulars noted include comprehensiveness, scope, language, retrospectiveness, relevant citations, search purpose, funding, clarity, and…

Two questionnaires sent to medical librarians and users of the Core Medline/Ebsco CD-ROM disc in the Netherlands gathered data on librarians' attitudes toward the various forms in which Medline is offered--i.e., printed, online, and CD-ROM. Tables and graphs present data on product attributes, availability, use, relevance, subjects searched,…

Describes a study undertaken by San Jose State University of business-related ready reference searches done at that library. The results suggest that within certain restrictions of patron questions, librarian training, search cost, and the database, ready reference online searches can be the most cost effective approach to providing business…

This study investigated the usefulness of end user systems to library and information science students. Seventeen volunteers were offered free searching on BRS/After Dark and DIALOG's Knowledge Index. The search itself, postsearch questionnaire, and completed research papers were analyzed for databases used, cost and time online, and precision.…

Discusses results of a survey of LIS (library and information science) educators who specialized in reference services or online retrieval to understand how teachers have prepared students to deal with online and CD-ROM resources. Results are compared to those from earlier studies, and a copy of the survey is appended. (Author/LRW)

Reports the rationale, design, implementation, and results of an examination of the impact of online subject catalogs on users by comparing their behaviors before and after catalog installation. Evaluation criteria included volume of use, types of searches, use of other catalogs, search time, user satisfaction, and need for assistance. (CLB)

Offers a model for choosing among CD-ROM, end user access, mediated online searching, or locally mounted files as alternatives for extending online catalogs and replacing printed indexes. Estimates of demand and comparisons of costs made at Trinity and Clemson Universities provide a quantitative framework for selection. (Contains four references.)…