Provides reviews of online bookstores and publisher sites on the World Wide Web that offer detailed databases of book information. Searching techniques, current awareness services, ordering, subject-specific stores, and other book-related sites are included. (LRW)

Current awareness services at AT&T Bell Laboratories are described: bulletins announcing over 80,000 externally published items/year; production of four commercial machine-readable databases and camera-ready bulletin copy by Bell Laboratories Publication, Alerting, and Retrieval System (BELLPAR); photocopy service. Improvements in service are…

Describes the kinds of online sources to use and processes involved in finding information on emerging markets and new industry trends. Highlights include relevance ranking in DIALOG searches; press releases; news sources; news alert services; market research reports; tracking research in progress; company information; and tracking subsidiaries.…

Assesses results of questionnaire survey of 150 users of National Library of Australia's ERIC Selective Dissemination of Information Services established in 1974. Topics covered include user opinions, communication between service and users, Australian material inclusion, retrospective searches, online searches, other ERIC users, document back-up,…

This essay reviews current policy issues regarding statewide educational databases. It begins by defining the major characteristics of a database and raising two questions: (1) Is it really necessary to have a statewide educational database? (2) What is the primary rationale for creating one? The limitations of databases in formulating educational…

Suggests ways of using personal computers in special libraries, including online searching; CD-ROM networks; reference work; current awareness services; press cuttings services; selective dissemination of information; local databases; object linking and embedding; cataloging; acquisitions; circulation; serials control; interlibrary loan; space…