Designed to help educators locate the most up-to-date research and information available for decision making, this handbook summarizes a vast collection of current educational, technical, and sociological information in computer databases. As online information systems multiply and become more consumer-oriented, and as microcomputers and modems become more prevalent in schools, a need has arisen for updated information about searching sources and the searching experiences of individual schools. The five parts of the handbook cover respectively: (1) information sources including "encyclopedic databases" and their vendors (Dialog and BRS), information utilities, and electronic mail and bulletin boards; (2) equipment needed and preparing to search; (3) training for the encyclopedics, assistance with the utilities, and software for searching; (4) management concerns including start up budgets, promotion and service, and recordkeeping and reporting; and (5) searching with students. Numerous appendices include information on databases from BRS and Dialog; lists of sample files available on the Source, CompuServe, and Dow Jones News/Retrieval; ERIC ordering information and forms; information on database access and on journal collections; and examples of a search log and of search request and search evaluation forms. (THC)