Computer Search Services and Information Brokering in Academic Libraries

Abstract

The information explosion is bringing many changes to academic libraries. This article discusses some of the changes and results found during an investigative study of reference departments in forty-four libraries. The computer search services results deal with administrative concerns, organization and staffing, staff training, user education and orientation, fees, quick reference and end-user searching, and policy manuals. Discussed also are the information-fee-based services developed by several of the academic libraries visited. A short history of information brokering, characteristics of an informaiton broker, and charging methods are included. People who need information on demand can use either a library which offers a computer search service or a type of information broker.