Selecting Electronic Alternatives.

摘要: Academic libraries today are faced with the prospect Of numerous alternatives to traditional printed indexes primary literature. Not only many made available by publishers as CD-ROM products, but most of these products can be acquired on computer tape for local mounting. This happy situation is further augmented availability through mediated search services such Dialog and end user OCLC FirstSearch. Choosing best alternative becomes a matter estimating demand comparing costs each type access. These estimates complicated lick information how often patrons will use given lack qualitative data. Results comparisons at Trinity Clemson Universities provide some revealing benchmarks that help place quantitative framework around decision process. article deals extending online public access catalog (OPAC) providing other resources, in particular indexes. It intention offer model applied determine choice when OPAC includes choosing, among CD-ROM, access, searching, or locally mounted files, lieu paper does not bear upon issue generated campuside systems; however, natural extension systems should include index A published 1990 described relevant management, cost, behavioral issues.(1) That examined financial issues thoroughly enough suggest files cost-effective where undergraduate heavy price research database very low. study also pointed out reducing information-seeking effort users transfer library. is, online, easier than their counterparts, they may more costly library provide. Librarians making choices advised remember pay costs, this affects quality results achieved. point kept mind, because follow necessarily focuses direct presentation tell whole story, it baseline trying choose between CD-ROMs versus print alternatives. extends cost January 1992.(2) established curve based comparison activity searches databases. For an individual willing base per acceptable, assist process deciding whether mount purchase alternative. brief overview points earlier related required establish context description model. MANAGEMENT AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES major goal every lowest possible users. involves barriers information, minimizing number bibliographic interfaces, educating users, optimizing interface design, efficient data handling. All affect ease experience. To put economic terms, must addressed if personal investment time involved seeking minimized patron. The importance illustrated effect searching replaced files. Demand goes up two orders magnitude, which shows there substantial methods apart from payment hard currency. …