ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries 606 / C &R L News A report on the CD-ROM Teleconference On April 27, 1988, a national teleconference on the use of CD-RO M technology in the library was held under the auspices of the Community and Junior College Libraries Section of the Association of College and Research Libraries and the Com­ munity College Association for Instruction and Technology/AECT. Initiated by the C JC L S Com­ m ittee on In te g ra tin g New T ech n ologies into Learning Resource Centers, it was viewed by al­ most 11,000 people at 335 sites in the United States and Canada. Forty percent of the viewers were at two-year colleges, twenty-seven percent at univer­ sities, and fourteen percent at four-year colleges. Other sites were elementary and secondary school, public and special libraries, and library system headquarters. Among the special libraries and li­ brary systems participating were NASA, A T & T ’s Murray Hill Research Center, the Naval Research Laboratory, the National Agriculture Library, the Congressional Information Service, and the North County Library Loop (Minnesota). The conference was intended to serve the follow­ ing purposes: •Supply an overview of CD-ROM technology and workstations; •Provide in-depth information about available products and costs; •Present an overview of library receptivity to CD-RO M products; •Outline the latest trends in CD-ROM product development and marketing; •Suggest a variety of uses for CD-ROM in li­ brary/LRC environments; •Address cost structures and implementation is­ sues; •Stimulate innovative uses of CD-ROM tech­ nology for instructional support; •Promote the participation of library/LRC per­ sonnel in shaping the future of this exciting infor­ mation technology . The teleconference, made possible through the collaboration of vendors interested in demonstrat­ ing their products, was organized at Oakton Com­ munity College in Des Plaines, Illinois. The fact that it was interactive made possible questions from the audience that could be directed to the var­ ious speakers and panelists featured in the telecon­ ference. Many of the site coordinators used the tele­ conference for internal staff development, while others incorporated it into a larger program. They brought speakers or vendors to their campuses to supplement the conference and to provide hands- on experience for those present. The more than 8,000 individuals who submitted postcon feren ce evalu ations w ere in the m ain highly appreciative of the program. The majority of respondents said they w atched the telecon ­ ference to acquire an overview of CD-RO M tech­ nology, learn about how it is being used in li­ braries, identify vendors and their products, and gain information about initial and maintenance costs. Many of these people had little prior knowl­ edge of CD-ROM technology. They regarded the teleconference as a convenient, inexpensive learn­ ing experience that contributed to their profes­ sional growth. Indeed, the conference reached many professionals generally unable to attend na­ tional, regional, or even state workshops or special­ ized seminars. Some viewers already familiar with the technol­ ogy, thought that the teleconference was too ele­ mentary and lacked depth. Nevertheless, the tele­ conference, in assembling a national audience, provided a basis for continuing discussion of CD- ROM issues. Among the issues that require further discussion are: utilization of CD-ROM products in instruction; development of a user’s perspective on future applications; and the possibility of forming a user’s cooperative to encourage standardization, the development of compatible systems, and re­ duction of costs. In retrospect, it is clear that the teleconference was a useful experiment. It demonstrated the very substantial potential teleconferencing offers for continuing education for library and media per­ sonnel. The substantial initial cost of organizing a teleconference is offset by the low per capita cost for the large audiences that can be served. In an age when restricted institutional budgets contain lim ­ ited funds for travel and lodging at distant profes­ sional conventions, teleconferencing as a tool for staff development and professional exchange ap­ pears attractive. Many of those viewing the April 27 teleconference recognized this potential and suggested a variety of subjects, including a second teleconference on CD-ROM library automation and networking. A full evaluation of the telecon­ ference will appear in a forthcoming issue of the C o m m u n ity a n d J u n io r C o l le g e L ib r a r y Jo u r n a l.—E ileen D ubin, D irector o f L ibrary Ser­ vices, Stockton State C ollege, an d Past C hair o f C J­ CLS. Poster session applications due The deadline for the receipt of applications for poster sessions at the ACRL Fifth National Conference is November 1 ,1 9 8 8 . An abstract of the session must be submitted on the official form, available from the A CRL office. Poster sessions may present research findings, innova­ tive programs, or solutions to problems.