Librarians have long struggled to find user-friendly mediums to provide meaningful information to patrons using bibliographies, pathfinders, and subject guides with varying degrees of success. Content management systems, such as Springshare's LibGuides, have recently been developed to facilitate the creation of online subject guides. Special…

This digest describes the traditional, new, and emerging points of access to the ERIC system: (1) traditional print access; (2) online access through commercial vendors; (3) CD-ROM; and (4) ERIC Digests Online. Also described are services offered by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Information Resources (ERIC/IR) that provide access to the system--ERIC…

Discusses the Center for Electronic Records of the National Archives and Records Administration. Highlights include reference services and access; the Title List database (general access); descriptions and documentation (intermediate access); and copies of electronic records. (AEF)

Describes DIALOG Web, DataStar Web, and highlights three other Knight-Ridder services: DIALOG Select, a service for high-tech, pharmaceutical, legal, consumer products, and media markets, KR@Site, which supports access to 80 databases, and DIALOG@CARL, which applies graphical interfaces to 300 DIALOG databases. Also includes interviews with…

To compile a list of recommended electronic databases for rural libraries, public library patron questions received by the Arizona State Reference Center were searched on ten databases. The results indicated Books in Print, Magazine Database, ABI/INFORM, Public Affairs Information System (PAIS), and Government Printing Office (GPO) Publications…

Describes how to use the Internet to access commercial online database services, such as DIALOG, and discusses the advantages in terms of costs, reference services, and accessibility. Outlines in detail how to save a search session or link another terminal to a Telnet session, and provides information and Internet addresses for eight vendor…

Discusses the use of the OCLC Authority File for answering reference questions. Contents of the authority file are described, including personal, corporate, conference, and geographic names, uniform titles, and subject headings; accessing the authority file is explained; searching strategies are discussed; and examples of authority records are…

Considers how to plan for online reference services. Highlights include local access to databases, including CD-ROM and database licensing; local gateways; online search services; and planning considerations, including cost, locating online information, telecommunications and computing infrastructures, and equal access. (Contains 15 references.)…

Reviews arguments for and against fees for online services and describes a supply side model in which the library absorbs the costs of online searching. The implementation of this policy at an academic library is evaluated and detailed guidelines for implementing such a policy are provided. (CLB)

Discusses information agencies and issues that affect the dissemination and accessibility of Canadian government information, including the Canada Communication Group, depository libraries, the National Library, bibliographic control of government information, the Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information, Statistics Canada,…

The development of CD-ROM following early computers and powerful personal computers will affect information retrieval by its accessibility and large storage capacity. Users will demand specific information and data sets from libraries, which could provide large research capacities. Librarians will act as database managers, thus enhancing their…

Until recently, the World Wide Web (WWW) public access search engines have not included many of the advanced commands, options, and features commonly available with the for-profit online database user interfaces, such as DIALOG. This study evaluates the features and characteristics common to both types of search interfaces, examines the Web search…

Discusses the use of the Internet for ready reference and considers limitations, reference policy, and cost issues. Highlights include general reference sources; database searching on the Internet; Gopher; bibliographic control and access to Internet resources; personnel issues; and levels of service. (Contains 30 references.) (LRW)

Librarians cannot distribute their collections electronically until the problems of intellectual property and free-and-equal access are resolved. Libraries must overcome restrictions of "virtual libraries" thereby making copyrighted texts freely available. Libraries must be promoted as places where readers freely consult both copyrighted…

Discussion of electronic access to information focuses on a study conducted at the library of the College of William and Mary that used 40 reference desk questions to assess the value of printed sources, CD-ROMs, databases, and the World Wide Web. Also discusses the reference librarian as omnipaedia. (LRW)