Benefits of the proposed Common Command Language for online interactive information retrieval, which has been developed by the National Information Standards Organization, are discussed, as are remaining problems in cross-system searching. A summary of the language showing the functions performed by the various commands is included. (MES)

Describes the New York State Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Clearinghouse that is run by the New York State Library and discusses hands-on GIS technology used as an enhancement to its reference services. Topics include community building, in-house projects, library database development, outreach, and the future of GIS reference. (LRW)

Reports on an initiative by the Toronto Public Library to create the "Virtual Reference Library" (VRL). Describes the first service to be offered, a Dewey application called "Science Net." Discusses the VRL and its precursor, objectives, basis for its funding, technical aspects, progress to date and future direction. (AEF)

Symposium on staff training in the automated library environment includes discussions of (1) an environmental approach to training; (2) training reference staff for automation in a transitional environment; (3) training for ILLINET Online; (4) training systemwide on MELVYL MEDLINE; (5) vendor training of library staff; and (6) training for support…

In February 1991, OCLC tested its newly developed product--the FirstSearch Catalog. Designed distinctly for the end user, FirstSearch is an online computer system providing access to a variety of databases. By October 1991, the system was made commercially available to all OCLC member libraries. The Ohio State University served as a test site for…

Discusses how traditional work of academic reference librarians has been impacted by access to electronic publications on the World Wide Web. Describes how librarians are using the Web to create publications for in-house library users and remote users through HTML documents that provide access to Web and other electronic resources. (Author/LRW)

Relates experiences of library director at King College--a small, four-year, undergraduate, private college faced with difficult budgetary decisions. Periodical collection, budgetary problems, cost effective online searches, acceptance of services by library patrons, and problems and solutions connected with implementation of online services are…

Presents results of survey of personnel allocation practices for online search services in 10 Canadian university libraries noting implications for remedies to problems at University of Ottawa. Assignment of searches on basis of subject specialization, training library technicians to run online searches, and end user searching are discussed. (EJS)

Describes the Information Function of the LS/2000 integrated library system at Carnegie-Mellon University. Existing and planned functions, screen displays, and selection options (announcements, guides to book locations, library hours, access to library guides and bibliographies, library policies and services) are illustrated. Footnotes are…

In order to determine the feasibility of offering free online searches to undergraduates at Texas A&M University's Evans Library, free searches were offered to selected technical writing classes. Student evaluation of the searches are provided and ways to make the service available to undergraduates are suggested. Ten references are cited.…

Reviews studies of humanists' use of information and discusses three characteristics of the behavior of humanists in relation to trends in the application of new information technologies to the humanities: (1) reluctance to ask questions of reference librarians; (2) regard for influential peers; and (3) concentration on research specializations.…

Provides detailed instructions for setting up general purpose CD-ROM workstations using IBM compatible microcomputers and tells how to make CD-ROM disks available to the general user. Use of standardized hardware and software, utility programs, DOS batch files, a shell program, and a hypertext program at the University of Idaho Library are…

Reviews the history of OCLC and describes current and future objectives. Highlights include membership; network affiliations; cataloging services; interlibrary loan; EPIC, a new reference system; a new telecommunications network; PRISM, a new online system for cataloging and resource sharing; pricing strategies; international operations; and…

The feasibility of using the verbal protocol method as a means of conducting field research on the online catalog is examined. As 10 undergraduate students conducted research they talked aloud about what was happening. Potential usefulness of the method in online catalog research is assessed, as a development tool and as a tool to assist reference…

Describes the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economics and Statistics System, a joint venture between the Alfred R. Mann Library at Cornell University and three USDA economic agencies which is available via the World Wide Web. Library support for remote users is highlighted, including acquisitions, cataloging, reference, and technical…