Describes one school system's experiment in allowing teachers to decide what materials and services to buy for their classes, thereby enabling them to enjoy some financial and professional benefits of private practice while retaining the security of the traditional teacher contract. Discusses potential problems and ways to overcome them. (IW)

Three problems in online searching in women's studies are type of indexing, database quality, and adequacy of coverage. Results of a recent study show there is significant end-user satisfaction and the searches done are described in order to promote greater and more effective use of online retrieval in women's studies. (Author/EM)

Reports on a study of 295 academically gifted students enrolled in four midwestern community colleges. Considers student demographics, high school background, perceptions of quality of instruction, and involvement in honors programs. Discusses implications for practice. (DMM)

To determine the nature of camp for senior citizens, four participant observers (staff members) conducted open-ended interviews with campers at a five-day residential camp in Oregon. Results showed universal satisfaction with the camp experience. Campers valued the wide range of activities, comfortable places to socialize, and staff relations with…

Discusses the flaws in online catalogs that lead to ineffective library use, including confusing subject access, outmoded classification systems, lack of authority control, split files and closed catalogs, lack of both menu and command modes, and lack of circulation information. Recommendations are made for improving library catalogs. (EM)

Reports results of a survey of online catalog users in an academic library in Saudi Arabia that examined search patterns, levels of satisfaction, and user attitudes toward the online catalog. The special problems encountered when searching in a foreign language are discussed, and systems improvements are suggested. (CLB)

As the number of women workers has increased, the conditions of employment have changed. Contingent employment such as part time and temporary work allows women to accommodate their lifestyle needs and enables employers to compete in the world economy. Lack of benefits and lack of advancement opportunities are pitfalls of such arrangements. (VM)

This review of the research on the use of card catalogs and online catalogs highlights research methodologies and significant findings. Discussion of the results focuses on user needs and satisfaction, and the need to separate bibliographic practices that are universally sound from those that are an adaptation to the medium. (CLB)

Describes the use of PC FOCUS, a database management package for IBM microcomputers, in the creation of an online catalog and index for a management library and information service. The programing and input required and system performance are discussed in detail. (CLB)

In-house surveys of patrons conducted in 20 public libraries in a county library system revealed no meaningful differences among the samples in reasons given for selecting the library to visit or in their uses of the library, although meaningful differences were found in their evaluations of the libraries' facilities. (Author/EM)

A child with a serious disability can have an extensive emotional impact on the family. A case study of the parents of a disabled child describes the demands imposed on them by therapeutic programs and the use of counseling to focus on their marriage and their problem-solving styles. (JDD)

Summarizes and critiques a study designed to investigate and identify factors that contribute to the attrition of high school band directors. Stating that Nimmo should have addressed the issues of success and merit pay more fully, Cowden concludes that the dissertation's findings reveal the need for serious discussions and actions toward reducing…

Examines gender differences in body image and its relationship to depression-proneness and self-esteem. Findings indicate a preoccupation with body weight and appearance for both men and women, and a relationship between body satisfaction and depression-proneness. (FMW)

Reviews research on day care in terms of family influences, day care influences and child outcomes, addressing implications for policy. Critiques resources including books, reports and other documents, organizations, and audiovisual materials, available for parents and professionals. (Author/KS)

The relationship between stress and social support systems of Hmong refugees is examined. Hmong communities function in some ways like large extended families; thus, there is not much reliance on outside resources. Homesickness was a stressor for older Hmong. Others were limited because of their lack of English proficiency. (VM)