CD-ROM Networks

CD-ROM has become an important medium for the storage and dissemination of information. Many information products are now available on CD-ROM. CD-ROMs represent a means of access to information alternative to online access to external databases via telecommunications networks. 

The networking environment changes fundamentally with the use of CD-ROMs. A popular use of local networks, within a library and information service context, has been to make CD_ROM databases accessible to the network risers from remote workstations. In fact, the development of CD-ROMs has widened access to information, which was previously available through online searching systems. 

The advantages of resource sharing which a local network of libraries can offer becomes an attractive proposition as this does not involve telecommunications overhead and tends to be effective.