Synopsis
Attempts to classify and describe the different search software, procedures, protocols, and information retrieval methods used in CD-ROM databases issued by the US government. Includes practical tips on using each of the major search programs for specific retrieval tasks. Topics include using dBASE with depository CD-ROMs, foreign trade data, NTDB and NESE*DB, file series from the 1990 census, and using Geographical Information Systems software with US Census Bureau CD-ROM databases. Includes an annotated list of GPO CD-ROMs. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.
Reviews
This volume describes and provides tutorials for some of the most frequently used U.S. government CD-ROMs and software programs for retrieving data from the discs. Each of the 13 chapters is written by a practicing librarian or information professional and describes one or more CD-ROMs, software packages, or a recommended configuration for a public computer workstation. The book surveys several core information resources from the federal government, including the decennial, agricultural, and economic censuses; the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI); and the National Health Interview Survey. Also described are the National Trade Data Bank (NTDB) and the National Economic, Social, and Environmental Data Bank (NESE*DB), which are compilations of data and textual reports. CD-ROMs produced by the U.S. Bureau of the Census are featured in eight chapters. Creating and downloading customized sets of U.S. Census data is treated at length in Duncan Aldrich's chapter on EXTRACT software and more briefly in several other chapters. Susan Ryan illustrates the use of dBASE software with CDs from the 1990 Census of Population and Housing. Paul Lewis covers using proprietary geographic information systems (GIS) software from Sammamish Data Systems Inc. to extract and display thematic maps using the Census TIGER discs and Summary Tape File CDs. Also noteworthy is Oya Reiger's essay on the Toxic Release Inventory in which the obligatory tutorial is supplemented by discussions of the political origins of the database, examples of how the data have been used, and limitations of TRI data. Aldrich defines several possible service profiles for libraries providing electronic data services, arguing that libraries must provide some high-level reference assistance in this area, both to continue to serve their users meaningfully and to avoid marginalization. An appendix offers an annotated list of approximately 125 CD-ROMs issued by the U.S. Government Printing Office. Although Government CD-ROMs focuses on one format, it is a useful complement to Jean Sears and Marilyn Moody's Using Government Information Sources: Print and Electronic (Professional Reading, LJ 12/93) and is a worthwhile, practical investment for improving user services and professional development.
Patrick Ragains, Montana State Univ. Lib., Bozeman
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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