Discusses the special needs of the depository library poster collection in academic libraries, especially with regard to improving public awareness and access. Suggestions for creating a bibliographic database are offered and a database at the University of Miami is briefly described. Appendices list poster items by issuing agency and subject…

Accessibility of online scientific literature continues to expand due to the advent of scholarly databases and search engines. Studies have shown that undergraduates favor using online scientific literature to address research questions, but they often do not have the skills to assess the validity of research articles. Undergraduates generally are…

This conference paper addresses the abundance of information delivery choices available to academic library online searchers. Following a review of changes and choices that have developed during the past decade, the paper suggests 10 ways for the searcher to keep up to date in this fast changing field: (1) read subject-related journals, system…

The University Libraries Computer Search Service (State University of New York at Albany, SUNYA) provides access to databases from many vendors including BRS, Dialog, Wilsonline, CA Search, and Westlaw. Members of the Computer Search Service, Collection Development, and Reference Service staffs select vendor services and new databases for their…

Discusses the use of MARC format in relational databases and addresses problems of incompatibilities. A solution is presented that is in accordance with Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) standards and is based on experiences at the library of the Universidad Politecnica de Valencia (Spain). (four references) (EA)

Highlights the unique characteristics of NEXIS, a full-text database of newspaper, wire-service, magazine and newsletter stories, and discusses its structure, educational versus commercial rates, the old versus new price structure, and search tips. An addendum describes changes through October 1985 and detailed appendices are included. (Author/EM)

Describes the development of a menu driven database management program to handle online search statistics reporting requirements for the libraries at the University of California, Los Angeles. Advantages of the program are discussed, including cost effectiveness, autonomy of search service reports, meeting the special needs of individual…

Describes the planning, development, implementation and impact of online information systems at three academic libraries. Some of the issues discussed include the campus computing environments, factors affecting the selection of databases and search systems, the impact of the system on library staff and users, and future considerations. (CLB)

Reports on the creation of a prototype, Web-based expert system that helps users better navigate library databases at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Discusses concerns that gave rise to the project. Summarizes previous work/research and common approaches in academic libraries today. Describes plans for testing the prototype,…

The present study reports the results of a survey conducted at the University of West Florida concerning faculty usage and views toward online databases. Most respondents (N=46) felt quite satisfied with scholarly database availability through the university library. However, some faculty suggested that databases such as Current Contents and…

Full-text services require more instruction and reference help than electronic bibliographic databases. To relieve pressure on reference staff, librarians at Pennsylvania State University developed weekly "Just-in-Time" demonstrations to help patrons learn how to use LEXIS-NEXIS. This article provides an overview of LEXIS-NEXIS and…

Describes the use of microcomputers and relational database management systems to improve access to numeric databases by the Data and Program Library Service at the University of Wisconsin. The internal records management system, in-house reference tools, and plans to extend these tools to the entire campus are discussed. (3 references) (CLB)

Full-text databases allow Central Missouri State University's clients to access some of the serials that libraries have had to cancel due to escalating subscription costs; EbscoHost, the subject of this study, is one such database. The database is available free to all Missouri residents. A survey was designed consisting of 21 questions intended…

The Institute of Physics Publishing (IPP), a subsidiary body of the Institute of Physics (IOP), has used electronic publishing on the Internet as a major means of improving the speed of dissemination of physics information. The development of the Comprehensive Electronic Journals service is described along with recent enhancements and other…

This report marks the third release of library statistics data from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). It contains data on state library agencies in the 50 states and the District of Columbia for state fiscal year (FY) 2008. The data were collected through the State Library Agencies (StLA) Survey, the product of a cooperative…