CD-ROM networks : from platform-dependent local networks to seamless global access

This paper discusses CD-ROM networking technology and the issues of managing a CD-ROM network in an academic library environment. These issues include search software installation, workstation management, network licensing and usage monitoring. Despite problems with the above issues, the prospect of CD-ROM networking technology looks promising, since there is a growing interest in and a greater acceptance of the technology. Future trends of CD-ROM networking are also discussed as more and more CD-ROM database publishers and online service vendors are providing their databases on the internet. This move would undoubtedly enlarge the user base and change libraries' collection development strategies.