ONLINE SEARCHING IN A PUBLIC LIBRARY SETTING

Abstract

The development of online reference service at the Cleveland Public Library is traced. The service began with limited use of the New York Times Information Bank in one department. Later, use of additional databases and NYTB was consolidated under the Facts for a Fee section. At present the Business, Economics, and Labor Department and the General Reference Department also provide online reference service. A limited amount of searching is done free; extensive searching is done for a fee. The factors considered in developing the service are discussed and copared to factors affecting traditional reference services. Staff, use patterns, the type of questions asked, the nature of the available databases, and costs are considered. The authors conclude that online sources augment but do not replace traditional reference sources.