The Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) is a federally funded program that was inaugurated in 1966 to serve as the nation's archive of important education documents. ERIC clearinghouses identify, select, and prepare entries describing education-related materials for the ERIC database; provide information in response to mail, telephone, and electronic requests as part of the AskERIC service; conduct education- related workshops; and publish numerous hard-copy and electronic resources. One of 16 ERIC clearinghouses, the ERIC Clearinghouse on Counseling and Student Services (ERIC/CASS) serves counseling and student professionals as well as parents who have an interest in personal and social factors that affect learning and development. ERIC/CASS has developed virtual libraries to provide online access to full-text documents on topics within its scope. In addition to a virtual library of career development resources developed with the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee (NOICC), virtual libraries developed in 1997 include: (1) Learning and Achievement; (2) Substance Abuse; (3) School Violence; (4) School-to-Work Transition; and (5) Multiculturalism, Diversity, and Pluralism. To make the libraries easy to search, documents are cross-referenced and can be accessed through four categories: Subject Area, Population, Resources for Parents, and NOICC Resources. Introduction
As the developer of the world's largest and most frequently used education database and a pioneering leader in offering an Internet-based question-answering service, ERIC-the Educational Resources Information Center-is ideally suited to take leadership in the development of online virtual libraries. The virtual libraries described in this paper provide users with immediate, well-organized access to the full-text of hundreds of useful articles and documents on topics of high interest not only to education and counseling professionals but also to parents, students, and the general public.
What Is ERIC?
ERIC is a federally funded program that was inaugurated in 1966 to serve as the nation's archive of important education documents. Over the years, the role of ERIC has expanded to incorporate not only the collection and storage of education-related information but also the generation of new information through publications and newsletters, the dissemination of information through question-answering services, and the provision of training in the use of information through workshops and conference presentations.ERIC currently consists of a network of 16 subject-specific clearinghouses, 10 adjunct clearinghouses, and 4 supporting service components. It is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement, and is administered by the National Library of Education.
What Resources Does ERIC Offer?
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Access to "fugitive" documents such as research reports, curriculum guides, and conference papers through Resources in Education (RIE) and the ERIC microfiche collection.
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Access to citations and annotations of articles from more than 900 education-related journals through the Current Index to Journals in Education.
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Question-answering services via toll-free phone numbers, fax, mail, e-mail, and in-person visits to clearinghouses and professional conference exhibits.
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Skill-building workshops on topics of high critical need and interest.
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Scope-specific publications that meet the information needs of each clearinghouse's audience.
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Opportunities for education professionals as well as parents and the general public to share their ideas, products, and research with one another through submission of documents to the ERIC database or participation in listservs.
How Accessible Are ERIC Resources
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The ERIC database is available in print, online, and CD-ROM versions.
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ERIC searching products and services are offered by four private online database vendors and five CD-ROM vendors.
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ERIC can be searched on the Internet at several ERIC Web sites.
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Access to ERIC microfiche and publications is provided by more than 1,000 institutions in 27 countries.
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An electronic question-answering service is provided by AskERIC.
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ERIC Web sites provide up-to-date information on ERIC and ERIC clearinghouse services and activities.
What Is ERIC/CASS?
The ERIC Clearinghouse on Counseling and Student Services (ERIC/CASS) at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) is one of the original ERIC clearinghouses established in 1966. ERIC/CASS is the ERIC clearinghouse that serves counseling and student services professionals as well as parents and others who have an interest in personal and social factors that affect learning and development. Examples of topics addressed by ERIC/CASS include drugs, self-efficacy, conflict resolution, abuse, equity, life/career planning, and family functioning.ERIC/CASS Virtual Libraries
During the past 2 years, ERIC/CASS has undertaken a special initiative to develop several online virtual libraries. Each virtual library is designed to provide users with online access to an extensive array of full-text documents on a topic of current high interest or critical concern.Advantages of a Virtual Library
- Ease of accessibility.
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Low cost.
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As intensive or extensive as desired.
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Easy to update and expand.
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Minimal hassle due to loss or non-return of borrowed items.
Disadvantages of a Virtual Library
- Sometimes not as accessible or portable as libraries composed of "dead tree" (paper copy) items.
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Potentially intimidating to "non-techy" types.
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Can leave people feeling bereft at the lack of the feel and heft of a real book.
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May appear to be difficult to scan for general impressions or skim for specific items.
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Under the mantle of the Internet, may acquire an unwarranted reputation for objectivity and accuracy.
The ERIC/CASS-NOICC Virtual Library of Career Development Resources
The first virtual library developed by ERIC/CASS was sponsored and funded by the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee (NOICC) through a grant from its Career Development Training Institute (CDTI) program. With valuable input from NOICC's Executive Director, Dr. Juliette Lester, and the North Carolina State Occupational Information Coordinating Committee Director, Nancy MacCormac, ERIC/CASS staff collected, reviewed, scanned, and converted to HTML hundreds of useful ERIC documents, ERIC Digests, NOICC publications, and other noncopyrighted materials.In addition to the input of existing materials, ERIC/CASS's Virtual Library Webmaster, Rob Bohall, developed numerous links to other relevant Web sites, and ERIC/CASS Director, Dr. Garry Walz, developed a set of frequently asked questions and answers of special interest to parents.
To make the library easy to search, documents are cross-referenced and can be accessed through four categories: Subject Area, Population, Resources for Parents, and NOICC Resources. In addition to the full text of several items in each area, an annotated bibliography of other relevant resources is provided.
ERIC/CASS Virtual Libraries: New for 1997
Based on the success and positive feedback on the ERIC/CASS-NOICC Virtual Library of Career Development Resources, ERIC/CASS, through special project funding from ERIC, developed five more virtual libraries during the first 6 months of 1997. They are:- Learning and Achievement
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Substance Abuse
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School Violence
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School-to-Work Transition
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Multiculturalism, Diversity, and Pluralism
Coming in 1998
ERIC/CASS is currently collecting and organizing resources for six more virtual libraries to be ready for public access by June of 1998. They include:- Conflict Resolution
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Depression and Suicide
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Gangs
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Bullying
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Juvenile Boot Camps
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Assessment in Counseling and Therapy
APPENDIX A
Virtual Library Categories
Career Development Virtual Library
http://icdl.uncg.edu
Subject Areas
- Computerized Guidance and Information
- School-to-Work Transition
- Assessment and Portfolios
- One-Stop Career Centers
- Comprehensive Career Development
- Career Counseling Interventions
- Program Evaluation
- Labor Market Trends and Information
- Staff Development and Training
- Adults
- College Students
- Ethnic Groups
- K-12 Students
- Non-Employed
- Out-of-School Youths
- Persons with Disabilities
- Women
- America's Job Bank
- America's Talent Bank
- Canada Work Network
- Career Magazine
- Career Path
- E-Span
- JobBank USA
- JOBTRAK
- The Monster Board
- Online Career Center
- Career Exploration and Decision-Making
- College Selection and Financial Aid
- Employment Bound Youth
- Employability Skills
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Job-Seeking Skills
- Related Organizations
- Training Options
- Work-Based Learning
- Links to SOICC's
- National Career Development Guidelines
- NOICC Occasional Papers
- Products and Services
- Index of On-Site Documents
- Virtual Library FAQs
- Index of On-Site ERIC Digests
- Lists of Links: Careers, Labor Market
- New Acquisitions
- User Survey
- Virtual Library FAQ's
http://www.uncg.edu/edu/ericcass/diverse/docs/tableoc.htm Editor's note: ERIC/CASS was discontinued on December 31, 2003. However, some of the following resources may now be available on: http://counselingoutfitters.com
Student Level
- Early Childhood and Elementary
- Secondary
- Higher Education
- Adult Education
- Asian
- Black
- Hispanic
- Native American
- Administrators
- Counselors
- Teachers
- Gay/Lesbian
- Limited English Proficient
- Migrant Students
- Students with Disabilities
- Family Influence on Students
- Helping Plan for the Future
- Parent/School Relationship
- Assessment
- Bilingual Education and ESL
- Discrimination in Education
- Promising Programs
http://icdl.uncg.edu
Student Level
- Elementary
- Secondary
- College/Postsecondary
- Creating and Evaluating Programs
- Current Issues
- Employers and STW
- Successful Practices
- Administrators
- Counselors
- Teachers
- Career Development
- Legislation and Policy
- Performance Standards
- Special Needs Students
- Family Influence
- Parental Involvement
- School-To-Work Basics
http://www.uncg.edu/edu/ericcass/substnce/docs/tableoc.htm Editor's note: ERIC/CASS was discontinued on December 31, 2003. However, some of the following resources may now be available on: http://counselingoutfitters.com
Student Level
- Elementary
- Secondary
- College/Postsecondary
- Alcohol
- Illegal Drugs
- Steroids
- Tobacco
- Administrators
- Counselors
- Teachers
- Communication
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Signs of Abuse
- Peer Counseling
- Pre-Natal Exposure
- Promising Programs
- Rehabilitation
http://www.uncg.edu/edu/ericcass/achieve/docs/tableoc.htm Editor's note: ERIC/CASS was discontinued on December 31, 2003. However, some of the following resources may now be available on: http://counselingoutfitters.com
Student Level
- Elementary
- Secondary
- College/Postsecondary
- Economically Disadvantaged
- Ethnic Minorities
- Gifted and Talented
- Students with Disabilities
- Administrators
- Counselors
- Teachers
- Specific Curriculum Areas
- Improving Academic Skills
- Family Impact
- Testing and Grades
- Student Motivation
- Alternative School Searches
- Career Planning
http://www.uncg.edu/edu/ericcass/violence/index.htm Editor's note: ERIC/CASS was discontinued on December 31, 2003. However, some of the following resources may now be available on: http://counselingoutfitters.com
Student Level
- Elementary
- Secondary
- College/Postsecondary
- Punishment and Intervention
- School Environment
- Security Measures
- Violence Policy
- Administrators
- Counselors
- Teachers
- Avoiding Violence
- Dealing with Violent Children
- Family Influence
- Parent/School Relationship
- Corporal Punishment
- Crisis Intervention
- Guns
- Media Impact
APPENDIX B
Virtual Library URLs
Editor's note: ERIC/CASS was discontinued on December 31, 2003. However, some of the following resources may now be available on: http://counselingoutfitters.com
- Career Development
http://icdl.uncg.edu - Cultural Diversity
http://www.uncg.edu/edu/ericcass/diverse/docs/tableoc.htm Editor's note: This url has changed:http://ericcass.uncg.edu/virtuallib/diversity/diversitybook.html - School-to-Work Transition
http://icdl.uncg.edu - School Violence
http://www.uncg.edu/edu/ericcass/violence/index.htm Editor's note: This url has changed:http://ericcass.uncg.edu/virtuallib/violence/violencebook.html - Student Learning and Achievement
http://www.uncg.edu/edu/ericcass/achieve/docs/tableoc.htm Editor's note: This url has changed:http://ericcass.uncg.edu/virtuallib/achievement/achievementbook.html - Substance Abuse
http://www.uncg.edu/edu/ericcass/substnce/docs/tableoc.htm Editor's Note: this url is no longer active.
