CD-ROM databases as an alternate means to online information: the experience of a university library in developing countries

Optical disc technology especially the CD-ROM has provided a new dimension to the information professionals because of its enormous storage and retrieval capabilities. As a result of that, publishers have begun to produce most of the frequently used reference and non-reference material on optical media. Libraries and information centers in most developing countries have limited resources and they cannot afford to provide access to online searching for their users. Databases on optical media appear to be a good alternative means for online searching. This paper describes briefly the ways in which this technology has been utilized as an alternate means to online databases searching at the University of Bahrain.