TARGET: CD-ROM's you couldn't live without! (2nd try)

[LaBookWorm <LaBookWorm@AOL.COM>]

I'd like to repost this target message that I sent over the holidays.  While I
received a handful of very helpful replies, I think I might have missed other
members who had their mail turned off during the break.  In the responses I
did receive, mention was made several times that others were hopeful that
there would be a good response to the posting, so here it sounds like it might
be worth trying again.  Thanks.
                 -- Kate Brown, LaBookWorm@aol.com, LMDirector, Westport (MA)
MS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------

From:   LaBookWorm[SMTP:LaBookWorm@AOL.COM]
Sent:   Thursday, January 01, 1998 7:23 PM
To:     LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject:        TARGET:  CD-ROM's you couldn't do without!?

Hello everyone.  Here we go again ... time for Round 2.

I've been trying to catch up on my ordering over vacation, and it seems the
more I try, the more confused I get over which CD-ROM's to buy.  At present
we have 2 copies of GME'95, Software Toolsworks Encyclopedia, Jr. DISCovering
Authors v.1, the new Webster's Biographical Dictionary, and that's about
it.  We need general reference titles, production CD's (graphics enhancements,
art work, video, etc.) as well as curriculum-related titles for social
studies,
science ... name it!  We are all but at the beginning of developing a
collection.

I was wondering if I could tap into your experience with CD's?  I am in a
middle school (grades 6-8) but would like to buy both a little above and a
little below my actual grade levels to meet the needs of my population.
Right now the budget is healthy so I can afford to take a look at a good
number
of titles.  I have been told that I will be buying for individual teachers as
well as the Media Center from my budget so that Media maintains control
over the "well-being" of the materials.

In terms of hardward, we are a PC school.  I have six stand-alone stations
in a research-only minilab in the Media Center proper, 27 networked computers
in the adjacent lab (only one of which has a CD -- at present), and six out in
reading classrooms in the building.  By next fall, there will be two major
labs, one multimedia and one word processing oriented, the minilab, and a
computer in each classroom, all networked and Internet accessible.  We will
have the building's server and a seven station CD tower in the Media
Center.

So ... I need to look at networkable v. individual CD's v. lab packs,
reference and/or curriculum-related CD's, anything v. everything.

I have been pouring over catalogs for months now but keep coming back to
the same problems in deciding which to buy.  One title begins to look like
another.  Some have  abbreviated recommendations but that still doesn't say
whether it works for your patrons.  That's where I'm hoping you can help.

What are the top THREE titles -- reference, subject, and/or production --
that YOU could absolutely NOT LIVE WITHOUT?  Why?

What are the top THREE titles -- reference, subject, and/or production --
that YOUR PATRONS -- students and/or teach ers -- use the most?  Why?

What new REFERENCE CD's are you constantly on the lookout for?  Why?
What new SUBJECT CD's are you constantly on the lookout for?  Why?
What new PRODUCTION CD's are you constantly on the lookout for?  Why?

Which do you wish you had more of  -- single title CD's, lab packs,
networkable CD's?  Why?

Is there anything about your experience with CD's I didn't ask but you
think I should know?

I promise that I will post a hit with this information; your patience is
requested as to when however!

Once again, you were my first thought when I needed help -- what a
fantastic group this is!

Kate Brown, Media Director
LaBookWorm@aol.com
Westport (MA) Middle School

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
To quit LM_NET (or set NOMAIL or DIGEST), Send an email message to
listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER
1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST
    NOTE: Please allow time for confirmation from Listserv.
For more help see LM_NET On The Web: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=