In 1981, relatively few of the inst

In 1981, relatively few of the institutions provided courses in computerized information retrieval – 22 (11 universitas dan 11 colleges od advanced education). The relatively few organized courses is perhaps due to the fairly recent development of widespread use of nternational computerized information retrieval services in Australia following the introduction of the Multimode International Data Acquisition Service (MIDAS) by the Overseas Telecommunications Commission, in 1979. In a survey carried out by Wood , 1981, it was found that out of 19 universitas and 5 institut trknologi , all but one now accesed online services , with DIALOG, the Australian Informaytion network being most frequently used. It was found, however, that most libraries had only a few terminals for conducting online searches. ‘six have one terminal, twelve have between 2 and 4 and only 4 libraries have more than 4 terminals.’ Wood concluded that ‘online services in Australian University and Institute of Technology Libraries are still fairly much in the developmental phase – particularly in relation to use , promotion and evaluation.’ Promotion of online information services is 1 of the effects achieved by orientation and education in computerized information retrieval. This is an area of library user education, where rapid expansion is to be expected during the next few years. Development of end user instruction for searching the computer library catalogues such as ABN – Australian Bibliographic Network and public online access catalogues, can also be expected.
Many of the existing reader education programmes are based on well formulated goals and objectivies . a wide variety of teaching methods and media are used. Many of the library guides, tape-slide, video programmes and other instructional materials are high standart . interchange of material and promotiaon of co-operationhasbeen facilitated by the development of the USER database at Caulfield Institute of Technology and the regional distribution centres.