This project examines the degree to which fourth and fifth grade children can master the skills needed to operate a full-text CD-ROM database, the New Grolier Electronic Encyclopedia, following minimal instruction. Fourth and fifth graders in an elementary school receive a group introduction to the CD-ROM encyclopedia during their library orientation period. Two groups of 15 students each are chosen at random from each grade to receive a small hands-on training session with the encyclopedia. Each child then has one session alone with the experimenter to assess mastery of the encyclopedia using a checklist of pass-fail skills. Children are also asked a question about their preference for the CD-ROM or print encyclopedia for their next research project. The results yield descriptive data on the skill mastery and preference. The project shows that ordinary fourth and fifth graders can benefit from electronic encyclopedia training, but that adequate training sessions were required to make the learning as efficient and effective as possible. The appendices consist of a letter of permission and a consent form, specification for the test of electronic encyclopedia skills, the question about encyclopedia preference, and data analysis tables and figures. (Contains 21 references. (DGM)