Describes results of a survey measuring levels of computer awareness and use among University of Georgia faculty. Responses indicate a pattern of high interest in computers; moderate use of a mixture of micros, minis, and mainframes; and relatively low numbers of faculty publishing computer related materials and authoring software. (Author/MBR)

This discussion of online public access catalog (OPAC) user assistance includes results of focused-group interviews of 70 OPAC users at six libraries. Importance of printed materials, library staff assistance, users' problems relearning OPAC searching, computer-assisted instruction, multiple-dialog modes, informative system error messages, and…

This study investigated college students' use of and attitudes toward traditional and nontraditional news media, and the role of cable news network (CNN) and its integration into evolving news consumption patterns. Results indicate later college years are associated with heavier consumption. CNN viewers are heavier users of traditional media.…

The effectiveness of a media workshop for elementary and secondary level student teachers was evaluated through a survey designed to determine the extent to which the student teachers (1) utilized media, and (2) produced instructional materials for use in their teaching. Use of specific types of media was also investigated. (MBR)

Presents results of study which examined interlibrary loan requests received at University of West Florida to ascertain whether books that other libraries could normally be expected to buy were being requested, and how many books in "high-use" areas were being requested by other libraries. Conclusions and recommendations are included. (3…

Examines how newspaper readers differ in their likely adoption of videotex. Suggests that complementary use of the two media will be more likely than use of only newspapers or videotex. (PD)

Administrator and teacher attitudes toward and trends in their use of various types of instructional materials were elicited through focus group interviews and a rating form. Results reported include discernable trends, suggestions for improvement in media use, ratings of instructional materials, and highlights of data analysis using various…

The changes that personal computers might bring to student life are examined by analyzing a long-term time-allocation study and individual interviews. The displacement of time from other activities, the purposes of computer use, and the impact of students' social arrangements on computer use are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Examined the use of public services by 1,080 Norwegian older adults. Results showed more than one-third use public services for the aged (i.e., are institutionalized or receive home help or home nursing). The use of services is affected by both need and demand factors. The family's role is discussed. (JAC)

Concludes that cable television subscribers watch more news programs than do nonsubscribers, and that Cable News Network viewers watch even more. (FL)

Discusses characteristics of typical online public access catalogs (OPACs) and examines patron use via printouts of transaction logs for three separate systems. Desirable features of OPACs (mnemonic search commands, boolean operators, forgiveness or automatic truncation, browsing a subject heading index, suggestive prompts) and need for…

Findings of study of online searchers' self-supported behaviors and attitudes indicate that: there are wide individual differences among online searchers in attitudes and behaviors; searchers from academic institutions differ from counterparts in other library settings; experience appears to be positively related to flexible, trial-and-error…

Concluded that the children in this study (ages 10-14) played video games in arcades for some of the same reasons they watched television: (1) escape; (2) a sense of personal involvement in the action; and (3) a source of or substitute for companionship. (PD)

The Communication Technology & Policy Division of the proceedings contains the following 7 papers: "Current Status of the Direct Broadcast Satellite Industry: Is DBS a True Alternative to Cable?" (Ju-Yong Ha); "An Analysis of the Characteristics of Early Internet Adopters" (Tien-tsung Lee, Linda Li-Shuan Wang and Paul…

This paper discusses some basic assumptions and issues concerning web-based surveys. Discussion includes: assumptions regarding cost and ease of use; disadvantages of web-based surveys, concerning the inability to compensate for four common errors of survey research: coverage error, sampling error, measurement error and nonresponse error; and…