In the second volume of a four-volume annual report on the Northeast Academic Science Information Center (NASIC), two developmental studies are reported. The first documents an experimental, pilot operation of computer-based reference search services to users on a fee-for-service basis initiated at Massachusetts Institute of Technology as the first node of the NASIC program. The second is a study of effectiveness and cost effectiveness considerations for NASIC information services operation. The study reviewed cost factors relating to the selection of the data bases, the performance of information retrieval and dissemination systems, the choice of service centers, NASIC products and services, software considerations, communications and networking aspects, and management of information service center operation. A lengthy review of the status of on line interactive retrieval system is attached. (JY)