[These posts are in response to the following question.]
I am trying to gather information on the
importance of cd-roms in library collections.
With the advent of the Internet and the move to dvd
technology, do you still feel that cd-roms are worth
acquiring? Also, what types of information
do you feel is better when presented on cd-rom
than on the Internet. Any insights would be
helpful. I work in a small library in Lyndonville,
Vermont.
Thank you. Cheryl McMahon
======================
#3
From: "Kelley, Sara" <SKelley_at_law.umaryland.edu>
Databases are fine on the Internet, and we prefer to
purchase them in that
format. On the other hand, I work in an academic law
library and we tend to
provide a lot of tutorials for student use. Although many
of them are
available over the web, I think CD-ROM is actually a better
format for
multimedia tutorials because they generally run faster and
more smoothly
from CD than from the Web.
Sara Kelley
Research Librarian
University of Maryland School of Law
======================
#4
From: Tony Senna <kwdts_at_kentlibrary.lib.mi.us>
Although I may be a little late in replying to this
question, I would like
to add a couple of brief thoughts. I work in a public
library in a suburb
of Grand Rapids, MI and that is the foundation of my
comments.
1. The "general public" is more computer literate than even
a couple of
years ago, but people still need frequent assistance.
2. If your population has usually only a basic knowledge of
computer
usage, cd-roms are far more forgiving of mistakes. Patrons
are much less
likely to get "lost" and frustrated than on the open
Internet.
3. As we abandon print, the need/desire to make copies of
everything
seems to go up. In the public library, patrons are more
happy if they can
just check out a book than discovering that everything they
want is going
to cost them money to print out.
4. The more often assistance is needed, the more staff you
need. It is
often far quicker for the librarian to search and get the
information than
to teach the patron to use the database, especially if it is
on the
Internet. Especially if you have a small library, one
question can eat up
too much time and take too much attention away from other
patrons (not to
mention annoying your coworkers!).
5. The importance of a good reference interview is even more
vital. You
don't want to spend the time to get a patron (or yourself)
started in a
database only to discover that the person was not clear on
what was
needed. With a print source, less time is spent in the "set
up" phase, and
so is less frustrating for everyone if it is not the right
source after
all.
6. In a crowded usually short-staffed public library
situation with
other patrons waiting for you, it is most easy to get a
patron started on
a book and then get back to them. A cd-rom is my second
choice. A web
based product would be my third choice.
I could go on, but I promised only a "couple of brief
thoughts" :-).
Good luck to you in your quest,
Tony
Kent District Library Required Disclaimer:
"Opinions given above are personal, and do not reflect
official library
policy or statements."
Received on Thu Jul 27 2000 - 13:30:41 EDT