A school librarian reviews CD-ROM encyclopedias, determining their suitability for school and public library use with children and young adults, and favoring content and accessibility over special features and multimedia enhancements. Outlines essential considerations when choosing encyclopedias (price, network and print versions, and online…

Presents an interview with David Macaulay, author and illustrator of the book and CD-ROM title, "The Way Things Work." Focuses on Macaulay's opinions of the current and future promises and problems of publishing books on CD-ROM, and draws on his experience with transferring his book from print to CD-ROM. (JMV)

A computer expert describes two stand-alone, multimedia CD-ROM computer systems suitable for school and public libraries: a budget version for less than $2000 and a power version for about $3000. Recommends specific personal computer models, monitors, operating systems, processors, RAM (random access memory), hard drives, video subsystems, CD-ROM…

Outlines the stages in the decision-making process for libraries acquiring optical data disk systems, including the establishment of a project manager or task force, feasibility studies, creating a planning document, hardware and software evaluation, devising processes and policies, and analyzing contracts. (CLB)

Examines the cost effectiveness of using CD-ROM encyclopedias in school libraries; finds print encyclopedias to be cheaper, but advocates the use of both. Sidebars include price comparisons of popular print and CD-ROM encyclopedias. (AEF)

Provides an overview of CD-ROMs for use in elementary and secondary school libraries. Highlights include advantages of CD-ROM; availability by grade level and by curriculum areas; costs; formats; trends; evaluating and selecting titles; 20 recommended titles; and CD-ROM distributors. (two references) (LRW)

Presents a 10-point checklist for choosing children's educational software that is free of cultural bias. Each point is illustrated with examples drawn from currently available software. A sidebar lists 25 educational software programs in the areas of social studies, ecology, math and logic, and language arts from which examples were drawn. (three…

Discusses library applications of several specific CD-ROM products, including library catalogs, book reviews, databases, encyclopedias, and interactive video programs. Such factors as cost effectiveness, ease of use, and user satisfaction are discussed, and a bibliography of books about CD-ROM is provided. (CLB)

Describes the experiences of high school students using microcomputers to access an electronic version of an encyclopedia in the school's media center. The topics discussed include hardware and software requirements of the CD-ROM format, information seeking strategies and problems observed, student satisfaction with the system, and recommendations…

Comparing 1994 and 1996, the eighth biennial survey of school libraries found median expenditures for books unchanged; audiovisuals, periodicals, microforms, and CD-ROM expenditures down; and software, local area network, and Internet expenditures up. The report also examines the extent of collaboration between library media specialists and…

Discussion of the provision and management of technology by school library media specialists focuses on CD-ROMs in high schools. Highlights include needs assessment planning; funding options; management strategies; long-range planning; and sidebars which include a bibliography of materials that discuss CD-ROM, recommended conferences, and CD-ROM…

Examines the use of CD-ROMs for reference purposes in secondary school libraries. Use of CD-ROMs by special education, learning-disabled, and average students is discussed; learning and thinking processes are described; advantages of CD-ROMs versus other indexes are considered; and inservice teacher training and student training are discussed.…

Provides an annotated bibliography of print atlases for pre-K through 12, general atlases for under and over $50, Facts on File loose-leaf map collections, and CD-ROM atlases. Lists the top atlases' best bets of print and CD-ROM, provides guidelines for selection, and argues that although print atlases are superior, a good CD-ROM atlas is useful…

Presents a regional comparison of school library programs, collections, and services. Highlights include education and training of media specialists; planning; funding sources and priorities; collection size; local expenditures; resources, including access to the Internet, videos, and CD-ROMs; computers and technology; and responsibility for Web…

Presents results of a survey of school library media centers in 1995 and 1996 that was conducted to examine technology use. Highlights include growth in Internet access, increased CD-ROM use, local area networks, distance education, funding sources, staffing, expenditures for technology, library collections, and librarian/teacher and…