Introduction: Few studies document the information searching behaviour of users with cognitive impairments. This paper therefore addresses the effect of dyslexia on information searching in a database with no tolerance for spelling errors and no query-building aids. The purpose was to identify effective search interface design guidelines that…

Canada's rich literary heritage, dominated by a multicultural and multilingual presence, reflects the country's unique history and experience. In addition, an emerging body of new writers is redefining both the geographic and metaphorical boundaries of Canadian literature. Coupled with the propagation of digital technologies, Canada's burgeoning…

In spite of its popularity, keyword search mode has not been standardized. Though information professionals are quick to adapt to various presentations of keyword search mode, novice end-users may find keyword search confusing. This article compares keyword search mode in some major reference databases and calls for standardization. (Contains 3…

Experiments were designed and carried out in an attempt to identify some parameters relating to ease of manual searching in library catalogs. A comparison of the difficulty of searching the same file in card form and book form indicated that searching the book catalog generally requires more time. (4 references) (Author/NH)

After a summary of background knowledge useful in searching for information, the authors cover extensively the sources available to the researcher interested in locating educational data or conducting a search of bibliographic materials. They list reference books, dictionaries, almanacs, yearbooks, subject matter summaries; and sources for…

The chains of search terms generated in the course of subject searches of a university library card catalog are investigated. (2 references) (SJ)

Search theory is applied to scanning library shelves or catalogs for items of immediate utility. (Author/AB)

Without spending any more time or energy compiling the bibliography, by simply making the specifications of our search available to the user, we would have greatly improved the instrument's utility and effectiveness for the user's search. (Author)

This investigation shows that search keys derived from personal author names possess a sufficient degree of distinctness to be employed in an efficient computerized interactive index to a file of MARC II catalog records having 167,745 personal author entries. (8 references) (Author)

Reviews some examples of library searches for both specified documents and specified subjects, and considers the distribution of library resources in relation to varying patterns of searches. (FM)

From experimental work performed, and reported upon in this document, it is concluded that converting the New York State Library (NYSL) shelf list sample to machine readable form, and searching this shelf list using a remote access catalog are technically sound concepts though the capital costs of data conversion and system installation will be…

The South Central Research Library Council was asked if the services of the Bibliographic and Reference Center, a subsidiary of the Council, located at the Cornell University Libraries could be extended to libraries outside its region. To date, the Center has been handling a limited number of requests from non-member libraries without interfering…

Traces development of the Higher Education Learning Programmes Information Service database, which locates and describes audiovisual materials for use in higher education. The database's potential, features, and search strategies, and other databases of interest to educators are discussed, stressing the importance of user feedback in determining…

Factors studied are patron knowledge of subject field and knowledge of principles of the Library of Congress subject headings system. (KP)

Examines guidelines for conducting quality Internet searches, highlighting subject catalogs, annotated directories, annotated directories with ratings or reviews, subject directories with ratings, subject guides, and information gateways. Discusses variable quality; evaluation criteria: metainformation, credibility, timeliness; quality assurance;…