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The University of Idaho Library has incorporated CD‐ROMs into its collection. Library users identify CD‐ROMs and related documentation through the library catalog, check out the disks from the reserve desk, and run search software for most of them on general purpose CD‐ROM workstations. Access to the search software is provided through menus organized by title or call number. The approach used allows the library to make a large number of CD‐ROM publications readily available with use of a minimum amount of equipment.

Provides a bibliography of CD‐ROM for librarians, covering case studies, costs, product evaluation guidelines, databases, CDI, downloading/copyright and CD vs. online, for use when making decisions about the adoption of CD‐ROM.

Discusses CD‐ROM as a provider of multiple, simultaneous and remote access to a large amount of information such as abstracts, full text, directories, education materials, music, etc. Presents a number of options that are available to increase access to a CD‐ROM collection and commonly used CD‐ROM networks under LANs, viz., peer‐to‐peer, file servers, client/server and optical servers. Also discusses selection of hardware and software for successful networking. Concludes that careful study of the pros and cons of establishing a CD‐ROM network has to be weighed in terms of cost and usage.

For many databases, distribution on CD‐ROM is now a feasible proposition. In this introduction to the process of creating a CD‐ROM for the prospective developer, the author lists software and hardware requirements, and stresses the importance both of adequate data preparation and of a planned distribution and marketing strategy. It also looks at the pitfalls to be avoided.

An overview of CD‐ROM and its development is presented to provide an introduction to this emerging medium. The technology itself is described including WORMs, and software approaches are summarised. Applications, including CD‐ROM as an information and bibliographic resource, are noted. Future developments described involve networking, novel publications and multimedia discs.

Addresses the problem of sharing a CD‐ROM drive on a local area network, suggesting several products which can be used to overcome these hurdles. Compares two software packages: CD Server and Opti‐Net, noting their similarities and differences. Explains that Macs have no need of specialist software, as they can share CD‐ROMs with just a little preparation. Laments the obstacles of speed of access times, and the time taken to change CDs.

Studies the effect of eight CD indexes on online searching through statistical data of online searching conducted for the faculty, graduate students and researchers before and after acquisition of CD indexes. Findings indicate considerable decline in online searching use owing to CD indexes saving a large amount of money. Discusses the impact of CD indexes on staffing in the reference department.

This paper describes the background to and preliminary results of a survey of CD‐ROM users in the UK. Questions were asked about the type of organisation, equipment, CD‐ROM discs currently being used or evaluated, and management of the CD‐ROM installation. A picture of the current use of CD‐ROM is built from the replies.

This paper discusses the complementary nature of two media, Web access and CD networks, with emphasis on three points: (1) combining Web access and CD networks — their importance and feasibility; (2) the benefits and necessity of considering the community network environment as a whole, rather than focusing on the particular library; (3) the need for flexibility in considering new technologies. There is not a unique model for each library to implement. As well as introducing a few new products, the paper describes the experience at the Occidental College Library (Los Angeles, California, USA) to indicate the possibility of building such a network; the possibility of sharing a network and network file server; and the workload/flow between the Computer Centre and the library, and between the student worker and the library CD network administrator.

Since the introduction of CD‐ROM databases for libraries, books and articles have been written and conferences held to both define the technology and explore uses of the new format in libraries. Nancy Melin Nelson has defined two types of CD‐ROM products for the library market. The first is designed as a support tool for automation activities, such as cataloging and public access systems. The Library Corporation's BiblioFile and Intelligent Catalog products are examples. The other type, and the one on which this article will focus, provides unlimited access to databases previously produced in an online and/or paper format (i.e., reference databases). Librarians have been relatively quick to accept CD‐ROM as a viable alternative or companion to their online databases. CD‐ROM technology has even afforded some libraries their first encounter with automated reference databases. Experience has taught us, however, that incorporating CD‐ROM reference systems is not as simple as many vendors would have librarians believe. Planning for the new technology is vital. This article will examine four areas of planning that should be addressed before a well‐informed decision to purchase can be made: hardware, database(s), search and retrieval software, and user education.