If the CD-ROM revolution is likened to gambling, players are information providers and consumers; the stakes are development, production, distribution, hardware, and software costs; and betting is represented by the costs of updating disks and hardware and software maintenance, and by pricing. Strategy should take into account cost savings,…

Discusses issues which will have an impact on database searching for the next five years: (1) quality control; (2) more inhouse databases; (3) changes in database visuals; (4) pricing policies; and (5) market changes. A number of favorable and unfavorable changes unlikely to occur within five years are also noted. (MES)

Explores the meanings that have been attached to the term "archival" and concludes that librarians participating in the national preservation effort use this term to mean permanent. Permanence is practically defined as storage for upwards of 100 years. Given this definition, the merits of microforms and optical disks as archival storage materials…

Discusses proposals for more standardized practices in CD-ROM development, sales, and distribution. Topics discussed include availability of trial copies; pricing policies; installation, including software, instructions, and compatibility; interface procedures; manuals; and vendor support services. A sidebar discusses proposals being addressed by…

Describes optical data disk products currently on the market and discusses publishers to users' needs. Ways in which librarians can influence product development and design are suggested. (CLB)

The most significant reference sources of 1993, including 30 books and 7 CD-ROMs, are presented in this annotated bibliography. A sidebar entitled "The Reference Medium of Choice: Print or Electronic" (Pat Ensor) is also included. (SLW)

Reports results of a survey of 800 library staff members on aspects of library work that they find stressful. The findings include sources of satisfaction and stress for all participants, and sources of stress specific to public services librarians, technical services librarians, and support staff members. (CLB)

Reports the results of "Library Journal's" 1995 national budget survey of 1,624 small, medium, and large public libraries which asked how funding changed over the last fiscal year. Per capita spending, materials budget, salaries, political issues, and staffing are discussed, and tables show survey results. (LRW)

Discusses results of the "Library Journal" annual placements and salaries survey for 1992. Highlights include placements by type of library, placements and salaries by region and by library school, placement and salaries of minority graduates, comparison of salaries by type of library, and a sidebar that relates the experiences of one recent…

Discussion of stress in library reference departments focuses on stress caused by CD-ROM reference tools. Topics discussed include work overload; nonreference duties; patron attitudes and behavior; staff attitudes; the need for proper staff training; and the need for library administrators to be sensitive to reference staff needs. (LRW)

Discussion of the work of the American Library Association's Committee on Accreditation includes committee membership, the proliferation of library programs, application of accreditation standards, the status of library schools, library school enrollments, the marketplace, curriculum, librarian certification, and practitioner problems. (EJS)

Defines the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) full text, and reviews its past, present, and future uses in libraries. Discusses advantages, disadvantages, and uses of searchable and nonsearchable full-text databases. Also comments on full-text CD-ROM products and on technological advancements made by library vendors. (JMV)

This analysis of life style data on a random sample of 423 adults demonstrates the value of such data in identifying the needs and interests of a community, and suggests ways in which such information can be used in planning and promoting public library programs. Twelve references are listed. (JL)

Argues that, because of its meteoric entrance into the library marketplace, too few institutions have reviewed the implications of CD-ROM before making their purchases. Issues that need to be considered are discussed, including funding, costs, equipment requirements, optimal locations for workstations, security and viruses, human resources, user…

Discusses the use of CD-ROMs in library processing and public services units. Topics discussed include local area networks, workstations, network security, search software, disk operating systems (DOS), computer viruses, CD-ROM selection and acquisition, licensing, and standards. A sidebar lists current CD-ROM products appropriate for reference…