| dc.description.abstract | This study investigates the application of CD-ROM
technology at the University of Nairobi Library,
focussing on bibliographic searching for
cataloguing,
retrieval.
acquisitions, and information
Both adv arrt aqe s and disadvantages of CD-ROM are
discussed with a view to ascertaining what the
technology can do and what it cannot do.
Advantages include the high disc capacity, as well
as the ability to integrate with other software
packages. It does not require telecommunications
links. Among the disadvantages is lack of complete
compatibili ty, frequent updates, and expense of
mastering among others.
It is argued that CD-ROM can provide a solution to
some of the information shortfalls in developing
countries and that the U~iversity of Nairobi
Library can take advantage of the technology.
Various relevant databases are discussed and
these cover most of the disciplines offered at the
University. The majority of these are on
agriculture and r e Lat.e d subjects and this is
particularly important to Kenya wh i.ch is an
agricultural country.
l
Since Kenya does not have packet switched
telecommunications facilities for the transfer of
data electronically, it is arglled that CD-ROM can
be used as an alternative to on-line . It is cheap
in the long run, has sophisticated software and
does not require much training . | en |
