The DIALIB Project was a 3-year experiment that investigated the potential of the public library as a "linking agent" between the public and the many machine-readable data bases currently accessible via the telephone using online terminals. The study investigated the following questions: (1) Is online search of use to the patrons of a public library? (2) What impact does such a system have on both the library and the patron? (3) What conditions are required for successful use of online reference search in the public library? (4) What are the financial and marketing aspects of such a service? The four participating Cooperative Information Networks libraries performed 2,173 searches during the project. The principal user groups were graduate students, educators, technical professionals, and librarians. In planning for online search in the public library, nine key requirements were identified. It was determined that a market exists for public library searches of existing data bases among employees and operators of small businesses, college students, and local government officials. The traditionally trained public librarian does have skills that are applicable to the skills required for online searching. Contrary to expectations, no problems were experienced in the mechanics of billing and fee collection, and comments from patrons were favorable to paying for the service. (Author/JAB)