. . . a surprisingly useful and largely readable effort. It presents in textbook style an introduction to the creation, use, and evaluation of online full text databases. SLA SSD Bulletin This is the first complete treatment of full text databases. Comprehensive and up-to-date, the book incorporates an overview of the current status of full text databases with explanations of past research pertinent to full text and information regarding the future of full text. The major online systems that offer full text are described, with five systems highlighted: DIALOG, Mead Data Central's LEXIS and NEXIS, Westlaw, STN International, and BRS. The book features an extensive bibliography that includes articles specifically about full text databases as well as citations to research studies that use methodology particularly appropriate to full text research. The first two chapters of the book describe in detail the major online systems that currently offer full text. Chapter 3 provides an overview of the search and display features on the major online systems that are particularly suited to full text searching. Chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7 focus on full text searching. Chapter 4 introduces and provides an overview of the types of full text research that have been done. The next three chapters describe in detail the methodology and findings of some full text research projects undertaken by the authors. Chapters 8 and 9 bring together the practical aspects of the research described in the preceding chapters and offer useful advice for searchers, database producers and online developers. The information is of immediate use for searching today's full text database, but also offers ideas for improvement in the near future. The final chapter focuses on the future of full text research. This book is appropriate for online searchers, database producers, database vendors and designers. It can also be used as a supplemental text in courses in advanced online searching and information storage and retrieval.

Designed to assist beginning searchers, whether they are students or practitioners, this text offers a comprehensive introduction to online systems that primarily provide information in the form of bibliographic citations. Walker and Janes give basic how-to information on the use of online systems, discuss topics for which there are no accepted paradigms, and present alternative points of view within a framework of previous research. Expanding on their immensely popular and critically acclaimed first edition, the authors have added extensive new material addressing Internet search and retrieval techniques as well as the more traditional Dialog and Lexis-Nexis services. Invaluable as a textbook for students in online retrieval courses, practicing librarians, and online searchers in library settings, this book can be used as a quick reference tool and as a handy guide for in-service training. Information seekers who want to perform their own searches for bibliographic information using an online sea

What are the potentialsand limitationsof usage statistics in libraries? As libraries increase their use of electronic resources, the value of quality evaluation of usage statistics has gained greater importance. Usage Statistics of E-Serials tackles this difficult issue by exploring in detail the proper evaluation of the level of usage of electronic resources. Noted experts discuss their own experiences in the field from multiple viewpoints and backgrounds, providing the reader with a well-rounded view of the entire topic. Issues comprehensively examined include the gathering and processing of statistics, costs and benefits of e-journals, evaluation and interpretation of data, and the comparison of different types of data collection methods. Usage Statistics of E-Serials reviews a range of situations and experiences of librarians and administrators in several different academic libraries. These authorities offer approaches and strategies to help readers more fully understand how to best manage those crucial resources. Multiple perspectives shine a needed spotlight on various challenges still facing academic librarians who attempt to measure and manage their library's electronic resources. This resource includes helpful screen captures, tables, and figures to fully explain ideas and data. Topics in Usage Statistics of E-Serials include: processing, standardizing, and dissemination of usage statistics a case study examining the cost of selection, acquisition, maintenance, and renewal of subscription of e-journals cost savings of canceling print journals evaluation and interpretation of data about the content and use of databases in decision-making the MaxData Project results of the Council of Connecticut Academic Library Directors (CCALD) e-resource management survey in-house current-awareness module MyCLICAPS statistics options provided by Serials Solutions the influence of usage statistics on collection development decisions the tracking of electronic resources by San Jose State University from the Federal depository program usage statistics as the basis for a usage-based pricing system more! Usage Statistics of E-Serials is a must-have resource for every academic librarian, particularly those in technical services, public services, and administration involved in gathering and utilizing usage statistics.

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