The Uses of CD-ROM and Other Information Delivery Systems for Libraries: A Publisher's View

摘要

The delivery of electronic information to libraries is increasing significantlyin both volume and forms of delivery. These forms of deliverynow include online searching, local access systems, and CD-ROM, toname only a few. CD-ROM is a technology, however, that is growingthe fastest and has recently generated the most excitement in the libraryand publishing communities.This excitement is balanced by some concerns. Such concerns arediverse. This paper, however, addresses one concern in particular. Thatis, how will CD-ROM and other modern information handling technologiesaffect electronic publishing programs in general, and thereforeby extension, libraries and publishers as well? Although the viewsrepresented here are of a publisher of CD-ROM systems, these viewsare not intended to suggest that these technologies are suitable in allpublishing environments, or for all libraries. The comments in thisarticle are simply intended to describe significant developments andtrends in electronic publishing.This article consists of three parts: case history, historical perspective,and speculation. To start, a brief case history of the H. W. WilsonCompany's electronic publishing program is in order.