CDROM versus online: the UK perspective

This paper provides an overview of the arguments for and against the delivery of electronic information via CDROM and online services. To support this overview, the results of a recent independent survey sponsored by Bowker‐Saur amongst UK business information users are presented. The survey analyses frequency of use of online hosts and databases; CDROM as a unique source or supplement / alternative to online; CDROM for current or historic data; multiple access by networks; ratio of use between CDROM and online databases; end‐user searching of CDROM and online databases; re‐charging for searches undertaken on CDROM and online; and criteria for selecting CDROM and online services. Conclusions drawn from the results of the survey are supplemented by personal observations on the UK information market, based on direct first‐hand contact with academic, public and corporate libraries throughout the UK.