Discusses the use of optical disk technology in online searching and compares three versions of the ERIC database currently available on optical disk in terms of hardware requirements, ease of installation, scope and cost of the system, search procedures, displaying and printing results, and documentation and user support. (CLB)

Discusses interviewing techniques in two steps: determining user's knowledge of and expectations for computerized literature searching, including beginning the interview and dealing with misconceptions, and the search strategy. The figure provided illustrates four stages of a thesis proposal and the related literature search purposes as aids in…

Provides suggestions for using live demonstrations of online searching to promote dynamic interaction in online instruction. Equipment for live demonstrations is described, including a microcomputer, modem, communications software, and computer projection system; search demonstration techniques are discussed; audience dynamics are considered; and…

Describes procedures used at the State University College at Buffalo library to limit CD-ROM searches to journals available in their collection. Modifications to DIALOG OnDisc databases are explained, the limitation of online database searches to local holdings is discussed, and user needs and user satisfaction are considered. (LRW)

Discusses issues that managers of academic library electronic reference services are facing. Topics discussed include the quantity of mediated searches; organizational changes, i.e., who electronic services staff report to; management by committee; administrative options; changing job responsibilities of searchers and other staff members, both…

Based on manual observation of 187 zero result online searches at a university library, this article addresses three types of problems that can produce such search results: multiple database searching, topic negotiation, and database availability. A summary of conceptual and practical recommendations for searchers are provided. (6 references) (EJS)

Describes the development of an expert system for online patent searching that uses menu driven software to interpret the user's knowledge level and the general nature of the search problem. The discussion covers the rationale for developing such a system, current system functions, cost effectiveness, user reactions, and plans for future…

Describes introduction of online information retrieval to high school seniors in a public school system. Highlights include background (hardware and software selection, choice of information utility, instructional objectives); database use; meeting curriculum needs; problems with print sources; online solutions; search strategies; requests for…

This continuation of an earlier article discusses online vendors' responses to users' concerns as well as the future of online services. Maxwell Online, Dialog, Mead Data, Data-Star, and Dow Jones News/Retrieval address user needs, search strategies, databases, document retrieval and display, user interface, and cost and economic issues. (LRW)

Discusses a decline in patron requests for librarian-mediated searches of MEDLINE at Yale University's medical library and describes results of a survey that was conducted to determine possible reasons. The influences of miniMEDLINE (an in-house version), online end-user systems, and CD-ROMs outside the library are examined. (five references) (LRW)

Describes the Electronic Journal Retrieval Project (EJRP) developed at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Libraries, to provide full-text journal articles from online systems. Highlights include costs of various search strategies; implications for library services; collection development and interlibrary loan considerations; and suggestions…