Advancing Reference Information Systems on the Web
Xiaochang Yu · Internet Reference Services Quarterly · 1997
Most existing systems of automated reference information files are microcomputer-based. The advent of the World Wide Web has created a new and rich environment for advancing these files into cyberspace. The major attractions of building a Web-based reference information system are: (a) software is virtually “free,” (b) required training is minimal, (c) systems can be accessed by a variety of platforms, and (d) reference librarians around the world are able to share their expertise. The discussion is in the context of the evolution of reference information file systems. A prototype is described to show how to construct a basic Web-based system.