This user's guide to conducting a preliminary search of the ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) database on CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory) begins by briefly describing the types of materials found in ERIC and explains the four steps common to the any computer search: (1) definition of topic elements and formation of concept…

A study of 1264 incidents of journal mutilation at New York University indicates no relationship between the availability of indexing and abstracting services on CD-ROM databases and mutilation. Recommends posting warnings; raising awareness; providing adequate photocopiers, change, and vendor card machines; announcing closing time; encouraging…

The purpose of the study reported here was to investigate the impact of depository documents in CD-ROM format on academic federal depository libraries in Indiana. In the fall of 1992, a questionnaire was sent to all the federal academic depository libraries in Indiana. Topics covered in the questionnaire were the number of depository CD-ROMs…

This research is concerned with the pragmatic performance characteristics of competing information technologies (ITs) and services in the university research center, as measured by user demand and choice. Technologies and services studied include: (1) mediated search service operating at cost recovery, open to all; (2) end-user service collecting…

Discusses results of four surveys sent to members of the Association of Research Libraries to investigate changes in academic library reference services due to new and rapidly evolving technologies. Highlights include digital reference options; local databases; CD-ROMs; intermediary online searching; end-user online search services; and the…

The following papers were presented at a joint conference of the Mountain Plains Library Association, the North Dakota Library Association, and the South Dakota Library Association in September 1987: (1) "Catalog Backlog Project" (Kay Juricek, Tedine Roos, and Carol White); (2) "How Are We Doing? Using a Materials Availability…

Considers the increase in the variety of electronic reference options in academic libraries based on surveys of ARL (Association of Research Libraries) members. Discusses online catalogs; CD-ROM databases; World Wide Web access; and changes in library instruction, including formal instruction, point-of-use instruction, and Internet instruction.…

The purpose of the project described in this paper was to gather information about online/CD-ROM database systems that would be useful in improving the services offered at the University of Findlay, a small private liberal arts college in northwestern Ohio. A survey was sent to 67 libraries serving colleges similar in size which included questions…

The six papers in this collection address as many different topics. In "Circulation Desk Staff Amiability and Patron Satisfaction," Laureen Cardon and Nathan M. Smith describe a study at Brigham Young University which demonstrated that interpersonal relations training for circulation desk staff could improve patron satisfaction. Anna L.…

Describes a study that observed undergraduates as they searched bibliographic databases on a CD-ROM local area network. Topics include related research, information needs, evolution of search topics, database selection, search strategies, relevance judgments, CD-ROM interfaces, and library instruction. (Author/LRW)