Online Bibliographic Database Searching In College Libraries PDF Download

In order to collect information on online bibliographic searching activities in smaller academic libraries, a survey was conducted in December 1982 of 252 college and university libraries located in public and private institutions with enrollments of between 1,000 and 5,000 students. An 88.5% response rate was achieved. It was found that 65% of the respondents offered online search services; fewer than half of the librarians in each institution were involved in online searching; 73% of the libraries providing online services charged or planned to charge faculty and students for these services; DIALOG was by far the most frequently used vendor; the average direct cost per search varied widely; and the connect time for most libraries (74%) averaged less than 15 minutes. This publication briefly outlines the survey methodology and findings; a sample questionnaire with responses noted is provided. Also presented are copies of online searching policy statements, promotional items, search request forms, transaction log forms, billing forms, evaluation forms, and statistical report forms from over 50 institutions. (Author/ESR)