Indexing and Abstracting Databases:

A study of growth of indexing and abstracting services over the years would show that during the past two centuries, these services have been trying to help the information communication process mentioned above. However, the increasing tempo and baffling complexity of information generation were causing enormous strain on the resources and capabilities of these information communication systems. But the advent of computers in the fifties and their applications and the developments in the field of communication technology also have been of great help in improved bibliographical control and access of documents. With these developments, the machine readable records have become most useful as databases, enabling the users to -get access to the required information at a much faster rate. These databases are available on (i) CD-ROM which the libraries can search on their own computers and (ii) networks on which the databases of major libraries as well as those of the conglomerates like Lockheed (DIALOG) and System Development Corporation (ORBIT) are accessible. Because of such large databases and their availability for conducting literature searches through networks and vendors, there now exists enhanced access opportunities to world literature output in a given discipline,