| A review of the literature reveals that little research exists on the use of CD-ROM technology with students at the community college level. This study is an investigation of the use, management, instruction and evaluation of CD-ROM technology with community college students.;CD-ROM technology is a highly useful tool in the teaching-learning process. It is an external computer storage medium for text, audio, still images, video and computer programs. CD-ROM was introduced as a medium for storage of large amounts of text information and is one of the most recent new technologies used for research in libraries, learning resource centers and technology departments.;A mail survey was sent to 84 heads of library reference departments of single and multi-campus Mid-Atlantic community colleges. The survey investigated the use of CD-ROM technology with community college students. The response rate was 82 percent.;Results indicate that both single and multi-campus community colleges use CD-ROM products in their library reference areas. CD-ROM indexes are preferred over their equivalent in print indexes when both are available. CD-ROM purchases are considered cost effective and at least 20 percent of the acquisitions budget should be used to acquire the technology. Some type of basic instruction is needed to successfully search CD-ROMs. Respondents indicated that CD-ROM is eagerly accepted by users and will replace equivalent print indexes sometime in the future. |
