This study assesses the role of online searching in school library media centers as it has been reported in the literature and also as seen in the results of a 1986 survey of school-based online providers and vendors. Although online searching in the school environment was not found to be broadly reported in the literature, the survey showed the topic was one of growing interest in schools across the country. Literature and survey findings are reported and compared in three major areas: (1) people: both students and library media specialists are doing online searching, media specialists receive their training in a variety of ways, and students are using online searching for class related topics and papers; (2) policies: there is little evidence in the literature on the establishment of policies for online access, while the survey showed current school policies to vary widely; and (3) practice: the results of the survey confirm the findings of the literature regarding widespread use of microcomputers (especially Apple), and use of specific networks and databases. An annotated 21-item bibliography of recently published materials which describe programs and provide guidelines for implementing online searching in the schools is provided as a locator for educators, administrators, and school library media specialists. Copies of the survey instruments for media specialists and for vendors are appended, as well as a list of the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of contact persons for the major vendors who work with school media specialists. (EW)