Items to be considered in establishing on-line reference in a small to medium size library are vendor relations, equipment needed, number of data bases to offer, training of staff, and how to compute search costs. (JAB)

A report on MUSICOMP 76, "an intensive workshop designed to introduce music historians, theorists, and analysts to computer techniques relevant to their research," is presented. (Author/RW)

Data bases in the social sciences are briefly surveyed with emphasis on content, coverage, and currency. Coverage of certain topics are quantitatively compared among several social science and more general files. Techniques for on line thesaurus utilization and a systematic application of the same search strategies across multiple files are…

The role of the coauthor relationship in the structure of informal communications networks within disciplines is explored, and the validity of coauthor graphs used to map these relationships is tested for both small and large databases. (CLB)

This paper attempts to clarify the meaning of using the computer as a tool for information processing. Provides spreadsheet and database examples of such use for high school geography. (JDH)

Describes Library 2000 at the Georgia Institute of Technology, which provides remote electronic access to a catalog of more then 350,000 books and documents, as well as access to the indexes to four extensive periodical databases. (MES)

Presents guidelines developed at Cornell University for selection of compact-disc databases for public use in libraries. Criteria are suggested for the following areas: (1) collection development; (2) administrative considerations; (3) vendor considerations; (4) search capabilities; and (5) ease of use. One reference is listed. (MES)

This overview of the available government and defense online databases divides them into the categories of research and development and market intelligence and describes the contents of each database. A listing of the online producers and providers, starting dates of files, and update frequency is provided. (CLB)

The director of the Buros Institute of Mental Measurements describes the "Mental Measurements Yearbook,""Tests in Print," the institute's online database, its symposium, and symposium books. Suggestions to librarians for increasing effectiveness of service to users of tests are included. (Author/EM)

This article examines the Harvard Business Review Online (HBRO) database (bibliographic description fields, abstracts, extracted information, full text, subject descriptors) and reports on 31 sample HBRO searches conducted in Bibliographic Retrieval Services to test differences between searching full text and searching bibliographic record. Sample…

Four articles discuss library uses of dBase III: (1) an interlibrary loan journal request file; (2) an acquisitions system; (3) customized multi-column output for reports; and (4) a circulation system. Program listings are included. (EM)

Describes a variety of computer software. Subjects reviewed include history simulations and wordprocessing programs. Some of the eleven packages reviewed are Thog, North Utilities, HBJ Writer, Textra, Pro-cite, and Simulation Construction Kit. (BSR)

This column argues that social studies must begin to address the citizenship training needs of students who will participate in our computer-based electronic society of the future. It describes a database activity on cultural stereotypes and recent computer-related activities of Michigan social studies teachers. (JDH)

Examines the potential value of several established, commercial, remote data base services as well as several specialty bulletin boards that are of interest to student personnel staff. Notes that computerized data bases and bulletin boards can provide bibliographic references and much more. (Author/NB)

Describes OAKDEC, a program based on decision-making logic that uses expert system techniques to assess the status of a database search and to provide recommendations to the user on how to proceed. The discussion focuses on the use of OAKDEC as a research tool for studying user behavior. (20 references) (Author/CLB)