A search for stained glass bibliographic information using DIALINDEX identified 57 DIALOG files from a variety of subject categories and 646 citations as relevant. Files include applied science, biological sciences, chemistry, engineering, environment/pollution, people, business research, and public affairs. Eleven figures illustrate the search…

Description of the use of CD-ROM as an alternative to online searching at the University of Bahrain discusses hardware selection, database selection, CD-ROM operation, and implications for libraries in developing countries. (six references) (MES)

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…

Examines the usefulness of the Eisenberg-Berkowitz Information Problem-Solving model as a categorization for academic reference encounters. Major trends in the data include a high proportion of questions about location and access of sources, lack of synthesis or production activities, and consistent presence of system problems that impede the…

Library instruction about reference materials, databases, and quality web sites never goes out of fashion for students, faculty, or staff. An annual professional development program on the Colorado State University campus offers an opportunity to provide specialized library instruction to targeted faculty and staff members. For two consecutive…

Controlled experiments were conducted with an enhanced experimental intermediary system, CONIT (COnnector for Networked Information Transfer), to test how effective such a system could be in assisting end users in online searching of medical and biomedical literature. A total of 16 end users, none of whom had previously operated CONIT or any of…

This study reviews changes brought about by advances in computer and telecommunications technology and describes online searching of sociological databases. Social changes affected by electronic technology are discussed, and speculations are made concerning the future effects of this technology. Also discussed are changes induced by recent…

Based on a survey of 160 Texas college and university libraries, this study reports on their access to and usage of 3 online information retrieval systems: Bibliographic Retrieval Services (BRS), Lockheed's DIALOG Information Services, and System Development Corporation's ORBIT Information Retrieval System. The study finds that 24 percent of all…

This report describes an online minicomputer-based system, one combining library inventory control with catalog access, that was implemented at Virginia Tech's main library in order to meet the demands of increased circulation activity and rising staff costs. Following overviews of the institutional environment, the systems development department,…

Described are the aims, goals, and methods of literature search of the Mechanized Library Information System serving West Coast locations of the McDonnell Douglas Corporation. Brief reports on two pilot programs, one on information awareness, and the other on a capability profile system for locating key personnel, are included. The first program…

The main sections of the text treat philosophy, religion, visual arts, performing arts, and language and literature, using the following pattern for each of these five area: (1) trends, (2) accessing information, and (3) principal information sources. Background information about the history and development of the field is presented in each…

A solution is offered to the problem of adequately cataloging a pamphlet file without increasing staff workload. A system is described in which material is classified by broad subject headings, themselves arranged alphabetically. This had an additional advantage in that valuable material which does not in itself merit full cataloging can be…

Authors share their experiences in training Oklahoma Teletype Interlibrary System/ Oklahoma Information Line (OTIS/OIL) personnel in the techniques of "profiling" searches during a one day workshop. Components of the workshop described are straight lecturing, interactive lecturing, role playing, and problem solving. (JPF)

A series of articles focuses on artificial intelligence research and development to enhance information systems and services. Topics discussed include knowledge base designs, expert system development tools, natural language processing, expert systems for reference services, and the role that artificial intelligence concepts should have in…

Examines online and printed equivalents of selected government documents indexes to compare the recall, precision, overlap, and cost effectiveness of online and manual searching. Indexes studied were the Monthly Catalog, CIS (Congressional Information Service) Index, and Government Reports Announcements and Index. (CLB)