ABSTRACT
There are several special services which libraries may offer via computer terminals or microcomputers, apart from ordinary data-processing, word- processing, spreadsheets or database managers. These services provide a faster and more sophisticated way of searching for information than previous traditional methods. In most cases, because the services work on a pay-as-you-use basis, and can be quite expensive, they have to be operated by library staff acting on one's behalf. The common procedure is to agree a mutually convenient time and work at the search together. Where special bulk subscriptions are possible, self-service terminals may be available. Some of the more general databases which are used by social scientists are listed below so that one can get a feel for what is available. The strategy shown will retrieve any item which contains either the word-stem prison or jail, and also the word-stem riot or disturbance, and also the word-stem hostage or model, all in the same sentence.
