Summarizes the similarities between classification systems for catalog selection and information retrieval systems, and discusses system characteristics that allow the use of measures such as recall and precision in system evaluation. (27 references) (Author/CLB)

Examines the knowledge base of an intermediary expert system that provides advice about search term selection. Topics include a proposal for an integrated approach, including an option focusing on terminological attributes based on knowledge acquired from professional searchers; and the content of the knowledge base and the research needed to…

Shows how to automatically construct a classification of users and a clustering of documents and cross-references among clusters based on users' information needs. Feedback in the construction of this classification and clustering that allows for the classification to be changed to reflect changing needs of users is also described. (22 references)…

Protein Annotators' Assistant (PAA) is a software system which assists protein annotators in assigning functions to newly sequenced proteins. PAA employs a number of information retrieval techniques in a novel setting and is thus related to text categorization, where multiple categories may be suggested, except that in this case none of the…

Outlines an approach to the automatic construction of a knowledge base resulting in a system that is able in each phase of its construction to acquire domain knowledge from all new information that it is building, particularly index terms. Topics covered include production rules, the use of semantic networks, and user interfaces. (32 references)…

Discusses the inclusion of expert systems in library and information science (LIS) education in such areas as library management, classification and indexing, and information retrieval. Emphasis is placed on involvement in developing areas such as programing and knowledge acquisition to create information professionals able to use the new…

Techniques for building a world-wide information infrastructure by reverse engineering existing databases to link them in a hierarchical system of subject clusters to create an integrated database are explored. The controlled vocabulary of the Library of Congress Subject Headings is used to ensure consistency and group similar items. Each database…

Describes PLEXUS, an expert system for information retrieval related to gardening, designed at the University of London for use in public libraries. Focusing on the semantic problems encountered, methods used in artificial intelligence and information science to resolve them are discussed, including classification and facet analysis. (Author/LRW)

The 16 articles in this theme issue focus on ways in which libraries provide subject access to their collections in a fast-changing technological environment: (1) "Uncovering Information" (Neal K. Kaske and Peter Paulson); (2) "The New York State Library's Evolving Public Access Catalog" (Alexandria Wolff and Jean Hargrave);…