Discussion of user interfaces to information retrieval systems focuses on interfaces that incorporate thesauri as part of their searching and browsing facilities. Discusses research literature related to information searching behavior, information retrieval interface evaluation, search term selection, and query expansion; and compares thesaurus…

Describes FOCES (Foster Care Expert System), a prototype expert system for choosing foster care placements for children which integrates information retrieval techniques with artificial intelligence. The use of prototypes and queries in Prolog routines, extended Boolean matching, and vector correlation are explained, as well as evaluation by…

Describes a study at the City University (London) that was conducted to evaluate the impact of an online catalog on subject searching behavior. Methods of using the catalog and browsing at the shelves are examined, and results are compared with an earlier study of subject searching with a manual PRECIS index. (25 references) (LRW)

Describes imaging technology, which allows huge numbers of words and illustrations to be reduced to tiny fraction of space required by originals and discusses current applications. Highlights include image processing system at National Archives; use by banks for high-speed check processing; engineering document management systems (EDMS); folder…

Reviews the history, current applications, and future of hypertext. Topics covered include current prototype applications, limitations of hypertext, and its possible impact on libraries. Hypertext-related definitions and a list of current hypertext systems and developers are provided. (12 references) (CLB)

Examines information sources and acquisition methods for building a college sports collection to handle queries on all statistical areas of college athletics. Sources discussed include monographs, NCAA and conference publications, serials, full text online databases, and networking with sports information directors. A directory of publishers is…

An online retrieval test was conducted using an experimental online catalog that provided several different subject searching strategies. Analyses of test data suggest that users expected alphabetical searches to provide lists of assigned subject headings conceptually related to their topics. System designers can now respond to their expectations.…

Reviews the history and structure of ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center), and describes the resources provided by the system that offer opportunities for networking by education librarians. Such resources include the ERIC database, publications, search services, document delivery services, and outreach programs. Opportunities for…

Outlines the factors that should be considered when planning to incorporate microcomputers into the library setting. These include the function of the microcomputer (recreation, instruction, and information retrieval); criteria for software selection (technical and instructional criteria); and the formation of policies and procedures for…

Describes an algorithm for computer generation of hierarchical indexes for document collections. The resulting index, when presented with a graphical interface, provides users with a view of a document collection that permits general browsing and informal search activities via an access method that requires no keyboard entry or prior knowledge of…

A model is proposed for the general abstracting process (using disciplines such as linguistics, logic, and psychology) that is based on a system of combined strategies with four stages: reading-understanding; selection; interpretation; synthesis. (Author/JKP)

Discusses results of a survey of music technical services librarians that investigated retrieval problems with the symbols for sharp and flat in music notation in online catalogs. Comparisons are made with an earlier study of online catalog vendors, and a list of institutions surveyed and the questionnaire used are appended. (LRW)

This paper addresses the problem of data management techniques for efficiently retrieving requested subsets of large data sets from mass storage devices. Describes the development of algorithms and software that facilitate the partitioning of a large data set into multiple "clusters" that reflect their expected access. (Author/JKP)

Describes resources to use for biology questions and provides search strategies for reference questions involving specific nomenclature. Highlights include nomenclature; common names versus scientific names; locating books and journal articles; and core reference sources. (Author/AEF)

Includes abstracts of 18 special interest group (SIG) sessions. Highlights include natural language processing, information science and terminology science, classification, knowledge-intensive information systems, information value and ownership issues, economics and theories of information science, information retrieval interfaces, fuzzy thinking…