Two experiments examined the effects of general computer experience and age
on library system search performance among novice library system users. Tw
enty younger adults (10 with high and 10 with low computer experience) and
20 older adults (10 with low and 10 with no computer experience) performed
10 search tasks of varying difficulty. Search success, syntax errors, datab
ase field specifications, keyword specifications, and use of Boolean operat
ors were examined. Among younger novices, high computer experience was asso
ciated with slightly better performance than low computer experience. Among
older novices, having some computer experience was associated with much be
tter performance than no computer experience. Older computer users showed l
ower overall success rates, made more syntax and field specification errors
, and demonstrated poorer understanding of Boolean logic and keyword matchi
ng algorithms than younger adults with similar computer experience. Implica
tions for interface design and training interventions for novice on-line li
brary system users are discussed.