CompuServe Messages

As another responder mentioned all the methods of access you mentioned would work but if some of the CD-ROM disks you are using are very expensive you'll probably want to leave them in the hands of the librarian or in a CD jukebox in a secure location. As far as creating your own CD-ROM disks: You would need an authoring tool ($1000-4000), a search engine ($?), a high capacity tape drive to transfer your application & data to the the mastering facility ($1500-2000), lots of disk space unless you're willing to work from tape which is quite slow ($1500-2000), someone to master your disk ($1500), and someone to duplicate your disks who may be the same as the mastering facility ($3.00 each in low quantities. Or you could contract with a CD-ROM developer to create your disks according to your requirements. The software required could be obtained from Programmers' Paradise or Programmers Connection, both of whom advertise in PC Magazine and Byte. A good source for information may be the MULTIMEDIA forum. Also, I'm sure people in the MIDI forum could supply you with info on mastering and duplication costs and sources as a number of them have created audio CDs of their music. The manufacture of CD-ROMs and Audio CDs is identical. As far as software suitable for use in libraries, I would contact the Educational Resources department at a major university. We have such a facility at Kent State University that supports education students, professors, and outside educators in the state. Jim