Search results

A controversial issue involving online searching is the presence of the patron during the search process. Searcher attitudes of patron presence were examined by use of a nationwide survey (N=198). It was found that 77% of the searchers preferred to have the patron present. Regression analysis indicated that two factors accounted for 72% of the variance of patron presence: the ability of the searcher to refine the search with the patron present and the searcher's time schedule allowing for patron presence. Only 16% of the searchers admitted to being nervous with the patron present. Concern about making spelling errors accounted for 44% of the variance of searcher nervousness.

The library marketplace for reference services is a rapidly changing environment. Various types of technologies have been introduced during the past twenty years to facilitate the retrieval of periodical information. Beginning with online access to databases, and progressing from menu‐driven systems to access online databases, the library community is now ready to embrace the latest and most revolutionary technology for libraries—CD‐ROM.

The article analyses 23 78 CD‐ROM bibliographic database searches (by databases used, user status, departments, and user needs) conducted at the King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) Library in Saudi Arabia during the period July 1991 (when service started) to 31 December 1992. Various purposes for compiling CD‐ROM statistics have also been discussed.

Library services have been tremendously influenced by rapid technological innovations over the years particularly in the area of reference and information services. The adoption of CD‐ROM technology has revolutionised the retrieval and delivery mechanism of information.

The Depository Library Program was established to provide government information to the general public. The libraries that are appointed to this program assume complete fiscal responsibility for providing this service. Recent policy decisions within the federal government evidence a trend toward a continuing decline in the availability of nonelectric government information. Depository libraries need to increase their budgets to maintain bibliographic, physical, and intellectual access to this information as costs rise.

For $44.95 a day, you can rent a Zenith SupersPort 286, 286e, or the 80386‐based SupersPort SX or a Macintosh portable from LapStop Corp. at Avis rental counters in Logan, O’Hare, Newark, and Washington National and Dulles airports. The computers come with Lotus 1–2–3, WordPerfect, and Microsoft Works and have internal modems. You can also rent printers and fax machines for an additional $22.95 per day, each.

Shortcomings in the BRS MENTOR mainframe interface and the desirability of using the workstation capabilities of the PC were factors in the decision to develop and implement a microcomputer‐based interface to the BRS software and associated databases. The Interface Design Subcommittee's charge was to design and implement the interface components for the Library Information Workstation, a microcomputer public terminal that provides access to local and remote online catalogs, periodical index databases, campus information resources, and information files stored on the microcomputer. This article focuses on the design of the interface to the BRS/SEARCH software and ancillary periodical index databases—initially Current Contents, six Wilson databases, and ERIC.

Full‐text periodical databases have changed how students access research materials. Many librarians fear that students favor the convenience of full‐text databases over more valuable information found in print periodical literature. To what extent is this true? A study was undertaken at Oakland University to determine how well students mastered the retrieval process for print and full‐text articles, and to gather their opinions on the value of both formats. A pre‐/post‐test instrument was administered to students before and after instruction to measure their knowledge of the library and its databases. A final test, including questions designed to measure student attitudes about the article retrieval process, was administered upon completion of a term paper. Results indicate that many students valued the convenience of full‐text articles over the article’s relevance, but they also found the overall research process to be difficult. The research students conducted also impacted on their test results. Other findings are discussed.

On April 2, 1987, IBM unveiled a series of long‐awaited new hardware and software products. The new computer line, dubbed the Personal Systems 30, 50, 60, and 80, seems destined to replace the XT and AT models that are the mainstay of the firm's current personal computer offerings. The numerous changes in hardware and software, while representing improvements on previous IBM technology, will require users purchasing additional computers to make difficult choices as to which of the two IBM architectures to adopt.