New waves, new problems--use of CD-ROM MEDLINE in the Medical Library of the National University of Singapore

Abstract

In the rapid development of optical disc technology, compact disc read-only-memory (CD-ROM) is gaining popularity as a reference tool. The National University of Singapore Medical Library (NUSML) is the first special library of the University Library System to introduce CD-ROM technology by setting up of the MEDLINE on CD-ROM system to complement its reference and information services since February 1989. The experiences of the Library is setting up the system and feedback obtained from end users through a questionnaire survey are presented in this paper. The success of the implementation of the new services has also given rise to new problems which have implications on library user education programmes, manpower planning, collection development and system security.