Describes a study that observed undergraduates as they searched bibliographic databases on a CD-ROM local area network. Topics include related research, information needs, evolution of search topics, database selection, search strategies, relevance judgments, CD-ROM interfaces, and library instruction. (Author/LRW)

Reviews technological developments centered around microcomputers that have led to the design of integrated workstations. Topics discussed include methods of information storage, information retrieval, telecommunications networks, word processing, data management, graphics, interactive video, sound, interfaces, artificial intelligence, hypermedia,…

Offers instructions and resources for Internet novices wanting to access Internet services. Instructions are offered for connecting to 13 education listservs, 9 electronic journals and newsletters, 3 education databases, 7 Telnet gopher sites, Veronica and Archie search tools, and File Transfer Protocol (FTP). (Contains 16 references.) (SLW)

This second report on a two-part study on the application of informetrics to information retrieval (IR) system design used models of database contents in a factorial simulation study at the University of Western Ontario. The study explored whether different file structures were better suited for different informetric environments. (32 references)…

Conducts a scenario-based usability test with 10 data analysts using visual querying (visually analyzing data with interactive graphics). Details a range of difficulties found in visual selection that, at times, gave rise to inaccurate selections, invalid conclusions, and misguided decisions. Argues that support for visual selection must be built…

In the fall of 1990, the Computer Services Section of the Department of Public Instruction in North Carolina began a project to study how the use of an online catalog in the media center would influence student academic achievement and provide a vehicle for students to gain the skills needed to access information. For a year, the media…

Issues in the management of library collections of electronically delivered information are discussed, focusing on the library at Troy State University (Alabama). Because of the library's selective depository status, expensive compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM) products are received, which the library could not normally afford. At the Troy…

This paper discusses the indexing, collection, and maintenance processes, as well as the retrieval interface, to public digital libraries. The paper begins by briefly surveying both Internet technical report collections and World Wide Web search engines. It goes on to describe a prototype digital library, the New Zealand Digital Library for…

This booklet contains model lessons developed to familiarize students with the features of CD-ROM encyclopedias and to serve as a springboard for collaboration between media coordinators and classroom teachers. The lessons focus on integrating the skills needed to access information from electronic encyclopedias into social studies, language arts,…

The Fourth International Research Forum in Information Science (IRFIS 4) focused on two themes: user-oriented research in information science and experimental and practical investigations of the mediation and use of information. An opening speech by Bjorn Tell reviewed information research policy in the United States, France, England, Japan, the…

The 23 papers in this collection include papers on special libraries and miscellaneous contributed papers: (1) "Networking Potentialities and Limitations--Special Library Networks in Socialist Countries--An Overview, and the Main Ways of Perestroika in the Work of Scientific and Technical Libraries at the Present Stage" (D. Schmidmaier…

The papers in this collection of presentations at a conference of the University/Urban Schools National Task Force address topics on trends in educational technology and issues in teaching with educational technology. The following papers are included: (1) "The Appropriate Use of Technology in Education" (James E. Dezell, Jr.); (2)…

This report presents an information needs assessment for an office automation plan to be undertaken for the School Building Services Branch of the Alberta Department of Education. This exercise complements the work of two senior committees within the Department: (1) the Electronic Information Processing Needs Study Steering Committee, and (2) the…

The projects reviewed in this annual report of the Online Computer Library Center, Inc. (OCLC) focus on four strategic areas: (1) enhancing the use of the OCLC Online Union Catalog; (2) investigating full document storage, retrieval, and presentation; (3) strengthening the interface between patron and system; and (4) providing statistical…

The Online Reference and Document Delivery Service Library Network developed at Eastern Oregon State College and operated in Eastern Oregon provides rural east Oregonians improved access to information sources via computers, telefacsimile, and telecommunications. Microcomputers have been placed in public, school, community college, and hospital…