Four bibliographic databases produced at the University of Minnesota Forestry Library are accessible electronically over the world-wide Internet. The four databases are: Social Sciences in Forestry; Tropical Forest Conservation and Development; Urban Forestry; and Trail Planning, Construction, and Maintenance.
Social Sciences in Forestry has been published since 1963 and has been accessible online since 1985. This database is updated quarterly. Tropical Forest Conservation and Development is based on a bibliography published in November, 1992, which selectively covered the literature prior to that date. Three updates have been added to the online database, the latest in December, 1994. The Urban Forestry database covers the literature back to 1982. The most recent update to the database was in December, 1994. Trail Planning, Construction, and Maintenance covers the literature from 19841992.
The purpose of this paper is to describe the four databases, giving details relating to subject scope, types and extent of literature indexed, overlaps among the databases, and overlaps in coverage with commercial databases. There will be some discussion of the procedures followed in compiling the updates to the bibliographies. Costs involved in producing the databases will be briefly discussed. Search techniques will be demonstrated through the use of overheads and handouts.
Use of these electronic databases requires that you: 1) are connected to the Internet; 2) are running a gopher client; and 3) point your gopher client at the correct server. Further details relating to electronic access will be provided.
Key words: forestry, networks, information sources, internet.
Correspondence: Jean Albrecht, Forestry Library, University of Minnesota, B-50 NRAB, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN 55108 USA
Telefax: +1-612-6248701
E-mail: ja@minerva.forestry.umn.edu