Describes the design and development of the Reference Librarian Enhancement System (REFLES), a microcomputer based system for in-house data files. The REFLES prototype is described in its test form, followed by presentation of the working environment, problems, and evaluation of the current version. Future possibilities of REFLES are also…

Provides statistical summaries of database development and growth for 1979, based on the "Database of Databases" file at the University of Illinois Information Retrieval Research Laboratory. Bibliographic, bibliographic-related, and natural language databases are analyzed in four subject categories: scientific/technical, humanities,…

Discusses three approaches to thesaurus and indexing/retrieval language maintenance for combined databases: reindexing, merging, and initial standardization. Two thesauri for a combined database are evaluated in terms of their compatibility, and indexing practices are compared. Tables and figures help illustrate aspects of the comparison. (SW)

Criticizes the 19th edition of "Dewey Decimal Classification" for violating traditional classification goals for library materials and ignoring the desires of libraries and other users. A total reform is proposed to eliminate Phoenix schedules and to accept only those relocations approved by an editorial board of users. (RAA)

Seventeen idea tactics to aid information specialists in furthering a reference search are defined as parts of total search strategies, and are grouped into idea generation and pattern breaking modes. Problems in testing such tactics are discussed. (FM)

Describes the "Toronto Globe and Mail" database-the first example of the entire text of a major daily newspaper online, and notes the file elements and possible search strategies. (RAA)

The use patterns of microforms are analyzed within the context of the government documents reference interface; and components of product design such as header information, internal organization, and external finding aids are discussed in terms of improving the reference function of microformatted materials. (Author)

Describes recent attempts to make explicit connections between the indexing process and the use of the index or information retrieval system, particularly the utility-theoretic and automatic indexing models of William Cooper and Stephen Harter. Theory and performance, information storage and retrieval, search stage feedback, and indexing are also…

Outlines the application of relational logic to data retrieval, describes how the discipline relates to modern data base technology, and discusses some of the key issues involved. Some examples illustrate the use of relational concepts in automated question-answering systems. Notes and references are provided. (Author/JD)

Describes a computer-assisted learning (CAL) system which incorporates a front-end processor for controlling communication between terminal user and mainframe, and the accessing and displaying of invariant information (held on microfiche) at the appropriate terminal. (Author)

Provides an overview of current newspaper indexing methods, including discussion of those indexes produced by commercial firms, public libraries, newspapers themselves, and news data banks. (FM)

Designed for use with a computer-produced subject index, PRECIS assigns clerical procedures in subject heading work to computer programs. The subject headings represent a unique combination of several different characteristics, permitting several coextensive forms of a subject name for each work. Final choice amongst alternatives is made by the…

The IR systems are faced with a need to manage fuzziness and not merely to react to fuzziness. Fuzzy set theory can be used to model the indexing and retrieval processes. (BD)

Internet error messages can be attributed to three types of problems: server problems, connection problems, or user errors. Examines the causes and remedies for common error messages. (PEN)

Discussion of the vagueness of queries and uncertainty of knowledge when searching in information retrieval systems focuses on searching proper names and using similarity measures, including phonetic similarity, typing errors, and plain string similarity. It is shown experimentally that all three approaches lead to significantly higher retrieval…