Provides a systematic guide for evaluation and selection of an online service vendor. Topics briefly considered include the availability of selection aids, cost, online services, system search capabilities, training services, file documentation, and complimentary services. A selective listing of database directories is provided. (Author/JD)

Describes the origin and development of the NICEM (National Information Center for Educational Media) database and provides current information on bibliographic elements in the database entries, searchable indexes, searching, and search aids. Sample citations from NICEM subfiles are included. (JD)

Gives an overview of the 12 papers presented in this special issue. The papers focus on the untapped potential of increased coordination between acquisitions and circulation functions of a library as a tool in building a collection which is responsive to the needs of library users. (SW)

Provides statistical summaries of database development and growth for 1979, based on the "Database of Databases" file at the University of Illinois Information Retrieval Research Laboratory. Bibliographic, bibliographic-related, and natural language databases are analyzed in four subject categories: scientific/technical, humanities,…

Discusses such topics as selection of data elements, the entering and updating of data, and the computer software for an automated property accounting system. (IRT)

Discusses three approaches to thesaurus and indexing/retrieval language maintenance for combined databases: reindexing, merging, and initial standardization. Two thesauri for a combined database are evaluated in terms of their compatibility, and indexing practices are compared. Tables and figures help illustrate aspects of the comparison. (SW)

Recommends those cases in which a database search of CIJE would benefit from a supplementary manual search of Education Index. Article also presents findings of a study of the usefulness of CIJE abstracts (1969-1978) which suggest that the user choose different online printing formats for different years. (JD)

Introduces the DOE/RECON online database system and the two energy files it serves: DOE Energy Data Base (EDB) and General and Practical Data Base (GAP). Topics discussed include how the system works, its similarities to DIALOG, and its present and future; database elements and subject categories are described. (JD)

Describes the Energy Information Administration (EIA) and the Technical Information Center (TIC), and lists databases accessible online to the Department of Energy and its contractors through DOE/RECON. (RAA)

Describes the "Toronto Globe and Mail" database-the first example of the entire text of a major daily newspaper online, and notes the file elements and possible search strategies. (RAA)

Identifies a conflict between the kind of reference service that many librarians of tax-supported academic and public libraries have accepted as workable within their institutions and the kind of reference service that has evolved for those who can pay for online bibliographic searches in these same libraries. (Author)

Provides an overview of current newspaper indexing methods, including discussion of those indexes produced by commercial firms, public libraries, newspapers themselves, and news data banks. (FM)

Explains the codes used in the Congressional Information Service's (CIS) database, presents entry formats for proposed legislation, and provides tips for searching dates and bill numbers. Included are a committee code master list, document type codes, legislative calendar codes (1970-80), and a list of contents-characteristics terms. (JD)

Briefly describes the three abstract journals that comprise the INSPEC data base, identifies multiple access points to the records in it, and provides searching strategies using illustrations. Also included are a tabulated searchguide to INSPEC on BRS and data base specifications. (JD)

Some information components associated with social science numeric data bases are outlined, and guidelines, examples, and a uniform vocabulary for the creation of bibliograpic citations are included. (Author/MBR)