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The selection and evaluation of CD‐ROM disks are important steps in the planning of a CD‐ROM facility. The choice of databases depends upon, among other factors, the objectives of the library, the projected use of each disk, and financial considerations. In this article we review the literature that deals with these matters. We begin with what is available on disk selection, via both printed directories and in the journals. We next discuss reported methods of disk evaluation. Finally, we cover existing reviews of various CD‐ROM products.

A study was conducted to find out the types of CD products in Nigerian libraries and information centres, and the uses to which they are being put. The study also tried to find out the sources of funding of such products, information about users, hardware configuration, and training facilities available in the country. Of the 157 questionnaires sent out, 85 usable returns (a 54% response rate) were received. The analysis revealed that 44 libraries had at least one PC with only nine of such centres having at least one CDROM workstation. There are 62 copies of 43 CD titles in Nigeria. Information on the discs is classified as bibliographic, full text, statistical, or general information. The subjects they cover in descending numeric order are agriculture, general reference, medicine, science and technology, social sciences, and education. Areas of applications include information retrieval, bibliographic compilations, current awareness services, library acquisition work, and downloading and uploading to local online databases. In general, CD use was minimal in most libraries as opposed to information centres where CD applications were well used by patrons, especially where the mass media was employed to advertise them. Most libraries funded their CD projects with their local budgets. The most frequently used computers are IBM or compatibles. Recommendations are also outlined.

This article summarizes the main findings of a survey, undertaken in early 1994, of open access CD‐ROM in British public libraries. The survey examined how well Public Library Authorities (PLAs) were implementing CD‐ROM technology for public use and how well the general public were fairing with CD‐ROMs. The survey was both quantitative and qualitative in nature: current national statistics for CD‐ROM distribution in PLAs were sought, case studies of 13 PLAs who provided open access CD‐ROM were conducted and finally an end‐user survey of 4 of these libraries was undertaken. The principal findings of the survey are as follows. In 1992 only 5% of PLAs provided CD‐ROMs for public use, but by 1994 this figure had risen to 12%. London and English County PLAs had the highest proportion of CD‐ROMs for public use. PLAs with CD‐ROM services were not necessarily the big spending authorities. National newspapers accounted for the majority of CD‐ROMs in use. The main management concerns were lack of adequate user training and documentation. All PLAs wanted to update and expand their CD‐ROM services. This matched one of the main demands from users, which was for more facilities, but PLAs failed to address the users' other main demand ‐ the provision of greater assistance. The predominant user group was young students. Educational institutions played a significant role in training users in the use of CD‐ROMs. Most users searched newspaper and business titles. Finally, there was a high level of user satisfaction with CD‐ROM searching.

The popularity of CDROM is due to a number of factors: they are versatile; large amounts of data can be held in a variety of formats; access to information is fast and a variety of user‐friendly search options is offered; and end‐users can use a CDROM with little or no instruction. From the point of view of the library or information service, they can save costs compared to online services both for bills and the need to provide intermediary assistance when online services are used. They are, of course, also space‐saving when compared with their print‐based alternatives. Gunn & Moore (1990) and Oppenheim (1993) provide helpful background on the benefits of CDROM to libraries, and issues that the new medium raises.

Library automation, online access, electronic data interchange, document delivery, CDROMs, multimedia, the Internet and standards are some of the issues that concern libraries and information centres. Evidence shows a positive environment for implementing information technology for both decision‐makers and the IT industry in Malaysia. The application of IT, including the increasing use of Internet and the virtual library concept, has changed users' perceptions and information‐seeking behaviour. It has had a number of impacts on both management and users. Positive government attitudes and the allocation of funds for technological development have enabled an increasing number of libraries to embark on all kinds of IT, all of which have enhanced information storage, retrieval, dissemination and resource sharing. The Tun Abdul Razak Library joined the race by using the only available local software package, and now it is moving fast towards advanced IT applications. This paper attempts to investigate the impact of new technologies on the management of libraries, as well as training in the use of the system. User education is an area that is being undertaken seriously by libraries and information centres. The development in IT and the anticipated setting up of the networking systems are regarded as revolutionary in terms of the actual as well the potential impact on the library management and services.

Discusses the issue of charging for public library services. Implementing a charge for services is viewed against a background of increasing demand for services and falling budgets. Puts forward arguments both for and against charging for services, and discusses the effect which new technology is having on services, and the debate about charging. Also discusses alternative methods for the library service to raise additional income. Concludes that charging for services is not the only option open to the library to raise money.

Studies the effect of eight CD indexes on online searching through statistical data of online searching conducted for the faculty, graduate students and researchers before and after acquisition of CD indexes. Findings indicate considerable decline in online searching use owing to CD indexes saving a large amount of money. Discusses the impact of CD indexes on staffing in the reference department.

Studies the effect of eight CD indexes on online searching through statistical data of online searching conducted for the faculty, graduate students and researchers before and after acquisition of CD indexes. Findings indicate considerable decline in online searching use due to CD indexes, saving a large amount of money. Discusses the impact of CD indexes on staffing in the reference department.

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.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the tribological performance of graphene oxide (GO) sheets as water-based lubricant additive when ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) plates slid against 316L stainless steel ball using a reciprocating tribometre.

The factors influencing the tribological performance were considered, including the viscosity of the GO dispersion, normal load, sliding velocity and the roughness of UHMWPE. The surface microstructure and properties of UHMWPE were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy, laser confocal microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and contact angle measurements.

The results revealed that the GO dispersion reduced friction and sliding-wear. The surface images of the wear UHMWPE plates indicated that GO sheets were prone to adsorption on the surface and form a thin physical tribofilms at the substrate.

Based on the experimental findings for the evolution of the microstructure morphology and the development of subsurface cracks, less debris and cracking can be observed in the UHMWPE plates lubricated by GO dispersion.