CD-ROM in a Marine Science Library

Abstract

The introduction of a CD-ROM bibliographic database, Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts, in a small science library was enthusiastically received by library users despite the fact that online database searching had not been an important library service. A survey of the new CD-ROM users determined that convenience and ease of use were important factors in its success. Contrary to other studies, the researchers were not concerned about currency, but were interested in access to older material. The demand for fee-based database searching remained at a very low level. Individuals were asked about their use of the literature retrieved, their own literature files, and previous experience with the print index and online database.