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Optical character recognition (OCR) technology can be employed to produce an ASCII‐text database for mounting on computer systems. Current technologies and principles of scanning and OCR are discussed. A prototypical “local” project—the creation of a full‐text database of dissertations done at George Mason University—has been undertaken by the Fenwick Library at that institution. Problems encountered with current scanning and OCR technologies are illustrated and discussed, as well as techniques and “filter” programs developed to streamline the scanning and OCR conversion process.

The following bibliography focuses mainly on programs which can run on IBM microcomputers and compatibles under the operating system PC DOS/MS DOS, and which can be used in online information and documentation work. They fall into the following categories:

Describes a number of experiments with electronic document delivery, and the copyright problems that are affecting its use. Considers the inadequacies of interlending for the user, the interlending in Eastern Europe and Australia. Outlines the impact of CD‐ROM on document supply and suggests that interlending can be a social, cultural and economic measure.

Identifies key activities that network users can perform in order to use the network effectively. Offers recommended reading, from beginner to expert user status. Explains some commonly used terms (e.g. Turbo Gopher with Veronica!). Lists useful Internet resources.

Literature related to end‐user searching of online databases is cited and annotated. Questions such as the role of the librarian/intermediary, the cost effectiveness of end‐user searching, and the training of end‐user searchers are addressed by the cited literature. Articles and conference papers from 1981–1984 are covered.

This article discusses downloading from OPACs in general and from the INNOPAC system in particular. It begins by setting out a brief philosophy of downloading, providing an introduction to OPAC downloading. It then discusses the practice of OPAC downloading with particular emphasis on tools for capturing and “postprocessing” downloaded flies. Technical and institutional constraints on downloading are addressed and an innovative program for overcoming some of these constraints is described in detail. The article concludes by considering various proposals for improving INNOPAC downloading capabilities.