- Email: [email protected]
Intelligent Technologies in Library and Information Service Applications
374
Reviews / Library & Information Science Research 23 (2001) 371 – 376
staff) is feasible or not. A few examples include Delphi studies, diaries and journals, I-Search papers, and use of Nudist, HyperResearch, or other qualitative analysis software. It is generally accepted that many practicing librarians have little trust in the work of academicians and researchers. This attempt to address both the practical ‘‘how’’ and the theoretical ‘‘why’’ of a needs analysis in a work intended for librarians is laudable, if somewhat problematic. Readers may find the heavy dose of research and statistics to be confusing. Also confusing is the fact that the concept of a community analysis and the concepts of userinformation needs and information-seeking behaviors are not differentiated. Westbrook apparently uses the material successfully in her teaching, workshops, and consulting, but it may not work as well without human guidance. It certainly would take a very committed librarian to undertake a needs analysis with only the book and the manual for self-help instruction. Several useful features should be noted. Appendices provide examples of studies undertaken by an academic library, a public library, and a school library. Also appended is a listing of commercial online public access catalogs and the types of statistical reports they can generate for the library. The suggested readings listed at the end of each chapter are combined into a briefly annotated list at the end of the book. The book also includes a list of works cited, a short glossary, and an index. The instruction manual repeats many of the suggested readings found in each chapter but adds a few others. The book deserves a place in the professional reading section of most libraries. Portions may also be useful as supplementary reading by graduate library and information science students. Verna L. Pungitore School of Library and Information Science Indiana University, 1320 East 10th Street Bloomington, IN 47405, USA E-mail address: [email protected]
References Palmour, V. E., Bellassai, M. C., & DeWath, N. V. (1980). A planning process for public libraries. Chicago, IL: American Library Association. PII: S 0 7 4 0 - 8 1 8 8 ( 0 1 ) 0 0 0 9 7 - 4
Intelligent Technologies in Library and Information Service Applications by F. W. Lancaster and Amy Warner. Medford, NJ: Information Today, for the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 2001. ASIST Monograph Series. 214 pp. $31.60; ASIST members, $39.50 nonmembers (hardcover). ISBN 1-57387-103-6. The objective of the authors was to ‘‘gain enough familiarity with developments in AI [artificial intelligence] and related technologies to be able to advise the information service
Reviews / Library & Information Science Research 23 (2001) 371 – 376
375
community on what can be applied today and what one might reasonably expect to be applicable to library and information services in the near future’’ (p. 1). Although most of the developments are actually in the form of ‘‘useful’’ library applications to aid professionals and end-users, the overall result is a lucid framework for familiarizing oneself with the technology and literature of information systems. The literature of artificial intelligence, expert systems, research, and actual implementations of library technologies is, of course, vast. Indeed, it is too extensive for most publications to consider in depth. Library and Information Science Research (LISR) readers are probably familiar with topic-specific books and articles such as Durkin’s (1993) Expert Systems: Catalog of Applications, Davies’ (1992) ‘‘Expert Systems and Cataloguing,’’ and Haverkamp and Gauch’s (1998) ‘‘Intelligent Information Agents.’’ Some readers may be aware of highly specialized AI research (e.g., Ibison’s, 1993, ‘‘Chemical Literature Data Extraction Project’’ or Moynihan’s, 1995, ‘‘An Object-oriented System for Ergonomic Risk Assessment’’). Lancaster and Warner have integrated the wildly divergent streams of research and application into a single whole, dedicated to library services. This is the authors’ strength and contribution to the field. The authors structure the work in five chapters as follows: ‘‘Applications within Libraries and Other Information Service Operations,’’ ‘‘Applications Closely Related to Library Problems,’’ ‘‘Applications From Other Fields,’’ ‘‘General Technologies,’’ ‘‘Conclusions and Implications,’’ and appendices. They guide the student and professional through the themes, literature, and applications of technologies in libraries. These chapters, supported by a rich reference section and a bounty of examples, speak for the work’s inclusion in the library and information science (LIS) curriculum and the professional’s collection. The researcher will likely-find the conclusion section more consequential. In that section, the authors see a ‘‘return to the enthusiasm or, perhaps, overenthusiasm’’ (p. 108) of applying AI and expert systems to library work. The potential for ‘‘infusing Websites with intelligent capabilities’’ and ‘‘streamlined interaction with the Web,’’ along with the rise of digital libraries, suggest a more vital role for future libraries (p. 108). The authors boldly and rightly acknowledge that the promise of AI and expert systems has not been fulfilled yet. ‘‘Expert’’ systems are not being created but rather merely ‘‘useful’’ ones (p. 108). Moreover, the authors’ indictment of failures in library and information science should encourage us to improve the standard of education and practice. ‘‘The truth is that expert systems developed in the library field are little better than toys . . .’’ (p. 116). They find ‘‘the fact that pitifully few systems developed within the library field itself have moved beyond experimental or demonstration stages does not encourage one to recommend that the directors of libraries should commit many resources to further work of this type’’ (p. 125). And they find, that ‘‘the great majority of librarians lack the necessary expertise in this area’’ (p. 125). They propose instead that librarians act in concert with ‘‘knowledge engineers’’ to develop library applications, a proposal not all will agree with. Although the book is good and recommended, there are a few trivial issues. For instance, in the ‘‘Methods’’ section of the work, ‘‘very broad searches were conducted under artificial intelligence or expert system(s) or neural networks’’ (p. 7). We do not know why other AI or machine learning terms (e.g., genetic algorithms, genetic programming, connectionist
376
Reviews / Library & Information Science Research 23 (2001) 371 – 376
machines, etc.) were not searched. The authors also point out ‘‘early in the book [that] there exist many interpretations of what the terms ’artificial intelligence’ and ’expert systems’ [ES] really mean’’ (p. 107). The reader may not be entirely convinced that the phrase ‘‘AI/ES’’ should appear in the book after the introductory chapter since the systems under discussion are only ‘‘useful’’ and are not AI implementations. As the book does not settle on a single definition and because the applications discussed are more truly ‘‘useful’’ than ‘‘expert,’’ it might be clearer for student readers if a memorable definition were offered and applications evaluated in light of it. Despite these concerns, Lancaster and Warner’s Intelligent Technologies is informative in the true sense: the reader learns more about the specific manifestations of technology in library settings and is provided an interpretive structure to help him or her think about the consequences of technologies in the future. G. Benoıˆt College of Communications and Information Studies University of Kentucky 502 King Library Building South Lexington, KY 40506, USA E-mail address: [email protected]
References Davies, R. (1992). Expert systems and cataloguing. In A. Morris (Ed.), The application of expert systems in libraries and information centers ( pp. 133 – 166). New York: Bowker-Saur. Durkin, J. (1993). Expert systems: Catalog of applications. Akron, OH: Intelligent Computer Systems. Haverkamp, D., & Gauch, S. (1998). Intelligent information agents: Review and challenges for distributed information sources. Journal of the American Society for Information Science, 49, 304 – 311. Ibison, P. (1993). Chemical literature data extraction: The CLIDE project. Journal of Chemical Information and Computer Sciences, 33, 338 – 344. Moynihan, G. P. (1995). An object-oriented system for ergonomic risk assessment. Expert Systems, 12, 149 – 156. PII: S 0 7 4 0 - 8 1 8 8 ( 0 1 ) 0 0 0 9 8 - 6
Reviews / Library & Information Science Research 23 (2001) 371 – 376
staff) is feasible or not. A few examples include Delphi studies, diaries and journals, I-Search papers, and use of Nudist, HyperResearch, or other qualitative analysis software. It is generally accepted that many practicing librarians have little trust in the work of academicians and researchers. This attempt to address both the practical ‘‘how’’ and the theoretical ‘‘why’’ of a needs analysis in a work intended for librarians is laudable, if somewhat problematic. Readers may find the heavy dose of research and statistics to be confusing. Also confusing is the fact that the concept of a community analysis and the concepts of userinformation needs and information-seeking behaviors are not differentiated. Westbrook apparently uses the material successfully in her teaching, workshops, and consulting, but it may not work as well without human guidance. It certainly would take a very committed librarian to undertake a needs analysis with only the book and the manual for self-help instruction. Several useful features should be noted. Appendices provide examples of studies undertaken by an academic library, a public library, and a school library. Also appended is a listing of commercial online public access catalogs and the types of statistical reports they can generate for the library. The suggested readings listed at the end of each chapter are combined into a briefly annotated list at the end of the book. The book also includes a list of works cited, a short glossary, and an index. The instruction manual repeats many of the suggested readings found in each chapter but adds a few others. The book deserves a place in the professional reading section of most libraries. Portions may also be useful as supplementary reading by graduate library and information science students. Verna L. Pungitore School of Library and Information Science Indiana University, 1320 East 10th Street Bloomington, IN 47405, USA E-mail address: [email protected]
References Palmour, V. E., Bellassai, M. C., & DeWath, N. V. (1980). A planning process for public libraries. Chicago, IL: American Library Association. PII: S 0 7 4 0 - 8 1 8 8 ( 0 1 ) 0 0 0 9 7 - 4
Intelligent Technologies in Library and Information Service Applications by F. W. Lancaster and Amy Warner. Medford, NJ: Information Today, for the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 2001. ASIST Monograph Series. 214 pp. $31.60; ASIST members, $39.50 nonmembers (hardcover). ISBN 1-57387-103-6. The objective of the authors was to ‘‘gain enough familiarity with developments in AI [artificial intelligence] and related technologies to be able to advise the information service
Reviews / Library & Information Science Research 23 (2001) 371 – 376
375
community on what can be applied today and what one might reasonably expect to be applicable to library and information services in the near future’’ (p. 1). Although most of the developments are actually in the form of ‘‘useful’’ library applications to aid professionals and end-users, the overall result is a lucid framework for familiarizing oneself with the technology and literature of information systems. The literature of artificial intelligence, expert systems, research, and actual implementations of library technologies is, of course, vast. Indeed, it is too extensive for most publications to consider in depth. Library and Information Science Research (LISR) readers are probably familiar with topic-specific books and articles such as Durkin’s (1993) Expert Systems: Catalog of Applications, Davies’ (1992) ‘‘Expert Systems and Cataloguing,’’ and Haverkamp and Gauch’s (1998) ‘‘Intelligent Information Agents.’’ Some readers may be aware of highly specialized AI research (e.g., Ibison’s, 1993, ‘‘Chemical Literature Data Extraction Project’’ or Moynihan’s, 1995, ‘‘An Object-oriented System for Ergonomic Risk Assessment’’). Lancaster and Warner have integrated the wildly divergent streams of research and application into a single whole, dedicated to library services. This is the authors’ strength and contribution to the field. The authors structure the work in five chapters as follows: ‘‘Applications within Libraries and Other Information Service Operations,’’ ‘‘Applications Closely Related to Library Problems,’’ ‘‘Applications From Other Fields,’’ ‘‘General Technologies,’’ ‘‘Conclusions and Implications,’’ and appendices. They guide the student and professional through the themes, literature, and applications of technologies in libraries. These chapters, supported by a rich reference section and a bounty of examples, speak for the work’s inclusion in the library and information science (LIS) curriculum and the professional’s collection. The researcher will likely-find the conclusion section more consequential. In that section, the authors see a ‘‘return to the enthusiasm or, perhaps, overenthusiasm’’ (p. 108) of applying AI and expert systems to library work. The potential for ‘‘infusing Websites with intelligent capabilities’’ and ‘‘streamlined interaction with the Web,’’ along with the rise of digital libraries, suggest a more vital role for future libraries (p. 108). The authors boldly and rightly acknowledge that the promise of AI and expert systems has not been fulfilled yet. ‘‘Expert’’ systems are not being created but rather merely ‘‘useful’’ ones (p. 108). Moreover, the authors’ indictment of failures in library and information science should encourage us to improve the standard of education and practice. ‘‘The truth is that expert systems developed in the library field are little better than toys . . .’’ (p. 116). They find ‘‘the fact that pitifully few systems developed within the library field itself have moved beyond experimental or demonstration stages does not encourage one to recommend that the directors of libraries should commit many resources to further work of this type’’ (p. 125). And they find, that ‘‘the great majority of librarians lack the necessary expertise in this area’’ (p. 125). They propose instead that librarians act in concert with ‘‘knowledge engineers’’ to develop library applications, a proposal not all will agree with. Although the book is good and recommended, there are a few trivial issues. For instance, in the ‘‘Methods’’ section of the work, ‘‘very broad searches were conducted under artificial intelligence or expert system(s) or neural networks’’ (p. 7). We do not know why other AI or machine learning terms (e.g., genetic algorithms, genetic programming, connectionist
376
Reviews / Library & Information Science Research 23 (2001) 371 – 376
machines, etc.) were not searched. The authors also point out ‘‘early in the book [that] there exist many interpretations of what the terms ’artificial intelligence’ and ’expert systems’ [ES] really mean’’ (p. 107). The reader may not be entirely convinced that the phrase ‘‘AI/ES’’ should appear in the book after the introductory chapter since the systems under discussion are only ‘‘useful’’ and are not AI implementations. As the book does not settle on a single definition and because the applications discussed are more truly ‘‘useful’’ than ‘‘expert,’’ it might be clearer for student readers if a memorable definition were offered and applications evaluated in light of it. Despite these concerns, Lancaster and Warner’s Intelligent Technologies is informative in the true sense: the reader learns more about the specific manifestations of technology in library settings and is provided an interpretive structure to help him or her think about the consequences of technologies in the future. G. Benoıˆt College of Communications and Information Studies University of Kentucky 502 King Library Building South Lexington, KY 40506, USA E-mail address: [email protected]
References Davies, R. (1992). Expert systems and cataloguing. In A. Morris (Ed.), The application of expert systems in libraries and information centers ( pp. 133 – 166). New York: Bowker-Saur. Durkin, J. (1993). Expert systems: Catalog of applications. Akron, OH: Intelligent Computer Systems. Haverkamp, D., & Gauch, S. (1998). Intelligent information agents: Review and challenges for distributed information sources. Journal of the American Society for Information Science, 49, 304 – 311. Ibison, P. (1993). Chemical literature data extraction: The CLIDE project. Journal of Chemical Information and Computer Sciences, 33, 338 – 344. Moynihan, G. P. (1995). An object-oriented system for ergonomic risk assessment. Expert Systems, 12, 149 – 156. PII: S 0 7 4 0 - 8 1 8 8 ( 0 1 ) 0 0 0 9 8 - 6