Computer-based instruction and the health sciences library

Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) is being used or considered at a growing number of medical institutions. The health sciences library, in its role as the learning resource center, can provide long hours of supervised access and more efficient sharing of resources if the CAI terminals are located there. Placing terminals in the library does, however, incur costs of training library personnel and of space and equipment and presents new problems in cataloging and maintenance. Budgetary and curriculum design considerations must be addressed in advance of adopting CAI, but those are not primarily library decisions. It is concluded that if an instution integrates CAI into its educational program, CAI does belong in the health sciences library and is fully compatible with the media already in use and that projected for the future.