This guide is designed for people who are new to the world of electronic/telecommunication access. It is an easy-to-read, self-instructional tool designed for beginning Internet users. Through a step-by-step process, the guide introduces searching online catalogs in libraries. A discussion of library search strategies is followed by seven steps for accessing and using online catalogs, including how to log on to the user's account, log into the library's system, follow system directions for searching, save the search, and log off. File transfer protocol is then summarized. The guide also describes the use of electronic discussion groups. Five appendices contain electronic addresses and search commands for the online catalogs of eight libraries; explanations of terms and abbreviations; a print-out of a sample search of Pennsylvania State University's Library Information Access System (LIAS); a bibliography that includes general assistance resources, a description of lists of libraries and databases available through Internet, and a list of 21 journal articles; and a discussion of problems that can occur when using computer-based communications. (KRN)