Eight articles in special supplement to "Library Journal" and "School Library Journal" cover a computer program called "Byte into Books"; microcomputers and the small library; creating databases with students; online searching with a microcomputer; quality automation software; Meckler Publishing Company's…

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…

Discusses the need for information on ethnic groups in academic library reference departments; describes the use of automated indexes, CD-ROM, and online databases; and gives examples of indexing and usage of terms related to Southeast Asians in four CD-ROM databases: InfoTrac EF (Extended Family), ERIC, PsycLIT, and Business Periodicals Index.…

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.)…

Describes an evaluation of a CD-ROM wide-area network at the University of Pittsburgh libraries. Reference staff were interviewed on their use of and satisfaction with the network; student assistants were asked about the type and amount of user assistance they provide; and users were surveyed. Suggestions for future enhancements are offered.…

Based on the conference theme, "Finding Ways: Excellence under Pressure," papers presented at the 1986 meeting of the association include: (1) "Coping with Budget Pressure: A Public Services Librarian's View" (Janet C. Lu); (2) "The Librarian, the Accession List, and the Database" (B. C. Wehrman); (3) "New Start:…

This set of papers presented to the General Research Libraries Division of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) during its 47th annual conference (1981) includes: "The Effect of the Introduction of Computers on Library and Research Staff," by Gilbert Gude; "Libraries as Information Service Agencies…

The Northeast Academic Science Information Center (NASIC) program, funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation to the New England Board of Higher Education, experimented in using a regional organization to develop an intermediary role in the process of providing machine-readable bibliographic search services to the academic research…

For the past two decades the central Information Retrieval Services of the Max Planck Society has been providing database searches for scientists in Max Planck Institutes and Research Groups throughout Germany. As a supplement to traditional search services offered by professional intermediaries, they have recently fostered the introduction of a…

This document reports results of an online survey that examined practices and procedures in the management of electronic resources in 65 academic library reference departments. Responses are related to: (1) student population; (2) library use by community people; (3) number of public access workstations, workstations with World Wide Web access,…

As the need to access information increases, school librarians must create virtual libraries. Linked to reliable reference resources, the virtual library extends the physical collection and library hours and lets students learn to use Web-based resources in a protected learning environment. The growing number of virtual schools increases the need…

Discusses the incorporation of CD-ROM technology into Georgia State University's William Russell Pullen Library, and considers its impact on reference services and bibliographic instruction. Concludes that technology increases the need for critical thinking skills, faculty-librarian interaction, and human resources for reference and technical…

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)

Five papers discuss topics related to the USMARC Community Information Format (CIF), including using CIF to create a public service resource network; development of a CIF-based database of materials relating to multicultural and differently-abled populations; background on CIF; development of an information and referral database; and CIF and…

Describes the automated access and Internet resources menu used by the reference department at Saginaw Valley State University (Michigan) library. Resources selected for the menu, including online catalogs, online databases, Internet access, and miscellaneous resources, are described. The access process, based on PROCOMM Plus software, is…