Compares current problems with optical disks to errors made with past technological innovations in libraries. Lack of hardware standardization, software incompatibility, and high prices are discussed. Widespread library commitment not to purchase optical disc systems until both technical standards and price guidelines are established is advocated.…

Discusses the 10 questions most frequently asked concerning the installation of public library online services. Equipment considerations (choice of equipment, maintenance arrangements, baud rate), choice of databases and vendors, budgets, fees, training, elimination of printed tools, and promotion of the service are covered. (EJS)

Discussion of videotex services for the general adult public and students covers investment by information provider (public libraries) and costs to user of a home system, problems of training for home use of telereference services, and six factors to be considered before introducing videotex services in the library. (EJS)

Discussion of financing database searching in the public library examines the role of the public library in providing access to information; costs of online services; and user fees. Techniques that a library can use to control online services and deliver them at a minimum cost are suggested. (eight references) (MES)

Reviews the benefits and disadvantages of online searching in the context of cooperative reference network services. The cost effectiveness of centralization of online information retrieval services, problems associated with doing searches at the network level, and subsidizing search services are discussed. (Author/JL)

Considers the use of nonbibliographic databases, also known as source files, as an information service supplied to library users and notes commercially produced databases, brokerage firms offering a variety of small databases, community resource files, differences between use of bibliographic and non-bibliographic databases including fees, and…

The four papers in this collection discuss the planning, development, and use of online library catalogs. The first article on the requirements for online catalogs by Velma Veneziano describes such specific features as comprehensiveness, flexibility, affordability, availability, structured access, user friendliness, level of cataloging, and status…

Discusses optical disc (CD-ROM and videodisc) reference sources in terms of: (1) databases; (2) system characteristics; (3) end-user searching; (4) education and training requirements; (5) staffing; (6) costs; and (7) funding. Areas for further research are identified and new roles suggested for the librarian in the electronic age. (34 references)…

Six essays addressing the provision of online search services in academic libraries highlight passing on costs, academic library turf, current and future funding (on and off campus), a healthy competition, the future role of libraries, charges to users, end user searching, and online information. References are provided. (EJS)

Within the U.S., information is a good in the "sphere" of basic welfare and security, and therefore (following Walzer's theory of justice), it should be distributed on the basis of the principle appropriate to the meaning of goods in that sphere-communal provision based on need and not on the basis of the distributive principle…

This set of materials on computerized bibliographic search services in academic and research libraries includes policy and procedure statements on online information retrieval services at the University of Houston, Colorado State University, Duke University, Temple University, Emory University, and Yale, among others; a position description for…

The role of public services librarians in collection development is examined in light of changes being brought to libraries by finances, cooperation, and information access. Highlights include situation in academic and special libraries, attributes of successful reference librarians and choices affecting collection developing, collection…

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.)…