Examines the link between the publish or perish issue and the quantity and quality of scholarly publications and explores the costs to libraries resulting from this situation. The use of electronic publishing as an alternative to serial collections and recommendations from the American Council of Learned Societies are discussed. (CLB)

The trend toward teaching library users to design and execute their own database searches is examined, three methods of providing this instruction (course-integrated, classroom-based, and self-service) are described, and the librarian's role is discussed. (MSE)

In the first of two articles, William Potter discusses the drawbacks and opportunities presented by advances in technology, including budgeting for online access, dealing with publishers and producers, and relating to computing centers. In the second, Paul Metz discusses collection development in academic libraries with emphasis on new electronic…

Reviews the development of technological innovations in information delivery, including microforms, electronic processing, online distribution, full-text abstracts online, floppy disks, downloading, vertical integration, electronic publishing, and optical disks. The impact of technology on the information industry and the need to use technology…

Reviews European attitudes toward information policy developments in West Germany, and describes recent activities undertaken by the German private sector, plans to reorganize the Society for Information and Documentation, and the federal government's specialized information program. The policies, structure, and activities of the Scientific and…

Argues that if computers are to play a role in language arts instruction, teachers need to reflect on their programs, selecting software congruent with children's interests as well as their teaching thrusts. Suggests using shell and database programs because they allow students to work with original ideas. (SRT)

Discusses academic information and communications needs of college and university researchers, and describes structure, uses, costs, advantages, and limitations of ScholarNet, an international computer network providing professionals in the humanities and social sciences with current professional news, a medium for data and text sharing,…

Introduces courseware authoring systems, which are defined as software devised for an instructional environment that simplifies courseware development. The process of courseware authoring consists of two basic elements--computer and lesson--which are further subdivided. The use of authoring systems to simplify each of these subcomponents is…

Discusses types of software most useful in social studies classes--games, simulations, and word processing, database, spreadsheets, and graphing--and introduces applications software through descriptions of four learning activities from different parts of the social studies curriculum: introducing databases, writing historical journals, tracking…

Discusses factors that should be considered by buyers and producers of databases on CD-ROM (compact disc-read only memory). The advantages and disadvantages of CD-ROM are also discussed and compared with those of magnetic and print media, and market projections are provided. (CLB)

Description of how library media specialists can assist teachers and administrators in retrieving useful information by using ERIC highlights its organization, the types of materials available that are especially useful to classroom teachers, and ways that it can be accessed online. A list of ERIC Clearinghouses with addresses is included. (EM)

This study focused on the users of and their purpose in using the online bibliographic database DIALOG in the library at Wenatchee Valley College (Washington); cost effectiveness of the online system in a community college setting; amount of use the service received; and level of user satisfaction with the service. (MBR)

Describes the Domesday Project, a cooperative government, corporate, community, and school venture which will gather and preserve survey information, statistics, photographs, and maps on two interactive laser videodiscs to provide a lasting comprehensive record of late twentieth century life in the United Kingdom. (MBR)

Based on manual observation of 187 zero result online searches at a university library, this article addresses three types of problems that can produce such search results: multiple database searching, topic negotiation, and database availability. A summary of conceptual and practical recommendations for searchers are provided. (6 references) (EJS)

Describes adventure games, a genre of computer simulation games that require the use of creative and intuitive approaches similar to those used in online database searching, and suggests that they can be used in training online searchers to develop creative problem solving skills. Reviews of several available adventure games are included. (EJS)