Book excerpt: A practical approach to the focal issues of chemical information sources, showing how to efficiently locate, use, and in some cases evaluate chemical data. Presents the most important and enduring classical tools, the more significant newer tools, and the underlying methods, principles, and keys needed to cope with the constantly changing array of chemical information sources and tools. Shows how to keep up to data on latest developments, how to let chemical information specialists obtain obscure, needed documents, and how to use Chemical Abstrcts. Examines on-line retrieval systems, patents, and safety-related topics (including environmental aspects). Provides for a savings in time and money as well as the freedom to spark new and creative ideas.