Since we have added three computers, a CD-ROM tower, and a network to the library, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of students wanting to learn how to select and use the appropriate reference sources to obtain information. Because of budget constraints and geographic location, learning resources are often neglected in small rural communities such as ours. Our library is limited in space and the cost of increasing the area is beyond our monetary capabilities. With the use of CD-ROMS, the students will have access to vast amounts of information which can be provided within our limited space. Information becomes obsolete before it can be published and made accessible.
Books wear out, are stolen and lost, and are limited to one user.
CD-ROMS are resilient and are not subject to the wear and tear resulting from being handled. If one student checks out a book, it is lost for other students until it is returned to the library. However, a single CD-ROM encyclopedia is simultaneously available to each student on the network. Students in junior high and senior high currently have limited resources to work with when assimilating information for science fair projects. Consequently, the quality of their projects are limited.