CD-ROM periodical indexes: better evaluation necessary

Abstract

Library literature for has some time been replete with articles extolling the virtues of various CDROM periodical indexes. Most of these articles do not contain any definitive, methodical studies of the indexes; the assessment is usually of the kind, ‘we obtained a free trial of the product, many of the journals we received were indexed, and the patrons loved it’. There is a need to look at these powerful tools more closely. This article calls for better evaluation and highlights those studies that included in-depth examinations of the indexes, the use of computers, etc. The more complete an evaluation, the better the librarians will understand which index to purchase and where that index fits into library operations.