ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries


108 / C&RL News

research related to psychology.
The BIOSIS Previews database provides access 

to a wealth of behavioral literature as a result of 
indexing over 9,000 source journals as well as 
numerous monographs, books, and theses. In addi­
tion to the inclusion of many multi-disciplinary 
biomedical sources, more than 450 journals de­
voted exclusively to psychology and psychiatry are 
also indexed. The database now contains more than 
6 million records dating back to 1969.3 Obviously, 
a file of this size and scope offers the psychological 
researcher a large potential pool of relevant schol­
arly information.

As part of a larger national survey conducted in 
the fall of 1988, the authors asked database search­
ers whether they access BIOSIS for topics in psy­
chology. The sample included psychology database 
searchers from an average of four institutions in 
higher education in each state and the District of 
Columbia. Out of 200 survey Questionnaires, 130

3DIALOG Inform ation Services, DIALOG 
Database Bluesheets (Palo Alto, Calif.: DIALOG 
Information Services, 1988).

were returned for a response rate of 65%. A com­
ments section afforded respondents an opportu­
nity to explain their use or lack of use of BIOSIS. 
This data provided further insights into factors 
affecting BIOSIS Previews usage for topics in psy­
chology.

The results of our survey indicated that 24% of 
our respondents had used BIOSIS for psychology- 
related topics, while 76% had not. However, sev­
eral interesting observations were noted from the 
comments section. For example, online searchers 
use BIOSIS primarily for literature in animal be­
havior or where animals were designated as sub­
jects. Research dealing with physiology, psychobi­
ology, and neurotransmitters was also mentioned. 
Several respondents indicated that BIOSIS was 
informative in investigations on pharmaceuticals, 
effects of medications or drugs, as well as health- 
related issues. Interestingly, many respondents 
indicated that they were not aware that BIOSIS 
was a useful source for psychological topics.

Our data indicate that many psychology data­
base searchers (over 75%) many be unaware of the

Book review editor needed 
for College & Research Libraries

The editor designate of College & Research 
Libraries invites nominations and applications 
for the volunteer position of book review editor 
for College & Research Libraries. The book 
review editor will serve through the editor’s 
three-year term. Applicants must be members 
of ALA and ACRL. Preferred qualifications 
include experience in academic libraries, evi­
dence of editing activity, and a knowledge of the 
issues confronting academic libraries and their 
parent institutions. The value of the work to 
other academic librarians is the primary re­
ward. However, the book review editor’s insti­
tution may receive the monographs reviewed in 
exchange for partial secretarial and indirect 
expenses. The position offers excellent experi­
ence for someone seeking a future editorial 
assignment. Nominations and resumes, with 
names of three references, may be sent to: 
Gloriana St. Clair, Editor Designate, College & 
Research Libraries, Library Administration, 
Oregon State University, Kerr Library 121, 
Corvallis, OR 97331-4501; (503) 737-3411; fax, 
(503) 737-3453; Bitnet, STCLAIRG%CC- 
MAIL@UCS.ORST.EDU.BITNET. Applica­
tions received by March 15 will receive first 
consideration.

Letters

Leadership

To the Editor:
Apropos of Richard M. Dougherty’s letter in 

C&RL News (October 1989, p.799), may I com­
ment for many librarians who have not found it 
possible to become active professionals? I happen 
to be a life member and was active before my 
retirement nine years ago. This is a luxury few can 
now afford.

Our first responsibility as a profession is to in­
crease the salary scale of professional librarians. 
Secondly, we need to reduce the professional bu­
reaucracy at the national level, and the prolifera­
tion of meetings. Thirdly, membership dues keep 
going up to where the average librarian cannot 
afford to join (other organizations compete for his 
or her membership dollars). Finally, put the cost of 
journal subscriptions at a level that the average 
librarian can afford.

Lower membership dues and less expensive 
journal subscriptions will attract more members, 
and future leaders, in our professional organiza­
tions. Only subsidized librarians can afford to at­
tend national conferences that cost the individual 
between $500 and $1,000. I believe that most 
librarians would prefer a democratic ALA to one 
that appears to be elitist.—H. Vail Deale, Director 
o f Libraries Emeritus, Beloit College. ■  ■