ABSTRACT
Today even the casual library user is impressed with the number and variety of computer-based systems that supply bibliographic information in the well-equipped library. Online catalogs, CD-ROM (compact disc-read only memory) search systems, and end-user searching are becoming expected, if not essential, means of access to library materials. When access was through printed sources we seemed willing to allow each index to adopt its own approach for organization, and access to, the primary literature it covered. The sometimes staggering differences among the underlying databases had become apparent now that we have access to computer-based resources through nearly identical terminals and microcomputers.
