Electronic reference options: how they stack up in research libraries

This article presents the survey results and paints a factual picture of electronic reference in 1991 in ARL (Association of Research Libraries) libraries. The impact of each electronic search option (online mediated searching, CD-ROM, end-user searching, and database on OPACs) are studied. In addition to the facts many respondents answered with detailed comments about how electronic reference sources are changing their libraries, their workload, and their users.