THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THIS DOCUMENT: Today there are over 900 on-line data banks available for public access. Most microcomputers can use them through the aid of a modem and communication program. Major public information utilities that offer access to these on-line data bases are growing and expanding. The Source, a data base utility…

Describes the experience of the University of Pennsylvania Libraries with computerized searches. (PF)

Reports the results of a study which examined costs and search results for 20 searchers conducted on both BRS After Dark and Knowledge Index. Various features of the two retrieval systems are reviewed, and advantages and disadvantages of each system are summarized. Data are presented in one table and several graphs. (24 references) (MES)

Issues having a possible impact on online search services in libraries are discussed including full text databases, front-end processors which translate user's input into the command language of an appropriate system, downloading to create personal files from commercial databases, and pricing. (EJS)

Describes a contract between the reference service of a library system in Illinois and a commercial supplier of information in Berkeley, California, to provide the answers to 200 reference questions for a flat rate of $6000. The contract, considered the first of its kind, successfully relieved a current reference overload. (RAA)

Briefly summarizes the results of a recent American Library Association (ALA) study on "Financing Online Search Services in Publicly Supported Libraries." The background of the survey, the general patterns revealed by responses concerning the kinds of fees charged to users, and the availability of the complete study are included. (JL)

This proposed policy manual for the computerized information retrieval service of the University of Houston System outlines policies for specific elements of its operation: (1) users--who is/is not eligible for service and for equipment use; (2) cost--rates charged; (3) responsibilities of searchers--maintenance of searching skills, scheduling of…

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…

Describes a study conducted at Purdue University Library to determine not only the costs of providing online information services to users, but the value of time saved by the end user in having a computer search run and user satisfaction with the results. Six references are listed. (RBF)

Examines online searching done for public libraries during October 1984 at The System Reference Service of the multitype North Suburban Library System. Highlights include total requests searched online, total public library requests searched online (by subject category), samples of successful and unsuccessful public library searches, databases…

Compares the relative costs of online and offline printing of retrieved citations in bibliographic searching. A formula for cost comparison is presented, and some of the advantages of high-speed (120 characters per second) output devices are outlined. (JL)

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…

Eight public libraries participated in a two-year experiment to investigate the potential of the public library as a "linking agent" between the public and the many machine-readable data bases currently accessible using on line computer terminals. The investigation covered users of the service, impact on the library, conditions for…

Discusses trade-off analysis, a data collection method with conjoint measurement technique in which respondents rank order a matrix of pairs of levels of specific attributes, and gives examples for use in determining library users' perceptions of relative utility of completeness of information versus cost of a search. Twelve sources are cited.…