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Knowledge and communication: Essays on the information chain
Book Reviews
524
detailed examples (mostly from Mellon’s own experience), each with discussion and analysis. I particularly enjoyed Mellon’s advice, which is often based on her personal observations. For example, to help in composing the opening statement of an interview, she suggests: “Consider that you are telling a not-too-interested friend about your work rather than justifying your researcn to a dissertation committee” (p. 50). The major improvement I would like to see is in the index. It is very short, with personal-name entries and only about 50 subject entries. Various important issues discussed in the text, such as hypotheses, transcribing, and objectivity, have no entries in the index. In addition, there are some unpleasant typographical errors. The notion that naturalistic inquiry should come naturally to librarians is a recurring theme in the book. Mellon explains that “naturalistic inquiry is similar to librarianship itself -organizing knowledge to make it accessible” (p. 69). Intellectual processes used in data collection and analysis are similar to those used in the creation of classification schemes and in the process of classifying. The techniques to be employed depend on both the setting and the question to be investigated, and the presentation of the results depends on the audience. . . . Sounds familiar? Mellon’s book is very useful to anyone who wants to explore naturalistic inquiry.
Graduate School of Library and Information University of Washington Seattle, WA
RAYA FIDEL
Science
Artificial Intelligence; Its Role in the Information Industry. P. Medford NJ (1991). x + 114 pp., $39.50, ISBN o-93874-50-4.
DAVIES.
Learned
Information
Inc.,
For students or others requiring a concise introduction to the subject of AI technology in the information industry, including a clear “lay-of-the-land” and overview of current activity, this is a fine little book. Some may quarrel with Davies’ definition of artificial intelligence or at least find it jarring initially; he defines AI as “. . . the attempt to extend the power of computing machines to deal with the natural world, here understood as processes, situations, and objects which arise naturally” (p. 7). However, the examples he gives (problem solving, language understanding, and recognition of situations and objects) are immediately reassuring. Davies’ approach is to respond to the practical management concerns of both user organizations (what are the new developments and how can I prepare for them?) and suppliers (what are the market prospects?). Identifying the key AI applications as expert systems, natural language processing, and intelligent computer-aided instruction, he describes these and other technologies succinctly and assesses the potential relevance of each. Of natural language processing, for example, comparing it with the already strong commercial acceptance of expert systems, he predicts: “On a longer time-scale, it will probably be of at least equal significance” (p. 15). Separate chapters focus on what should be the interests and concerns of online vendors (referred to as “host organizations,” p. 65) and database producers. A final chapter discusses supporting technologies (i.e., “the tools and delivery systems required for AI applications development in the near future” (p. 79). Appendices include a quick glimpse of international initiatives, a very complete glossary, and a selective bibliography.
School of Library and Information Dalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
MARY DYKSTRA
Studies
Knowledge and Communication: Essays on the Information Association Publishing (A Clive Bingley Book), London 0-85157-454-K
Chain. A. J. MEADOWS (ED.). Library (1991). ix + 164 pp., $55.00, ISBN
Knowledge and Communication explores the role of information
professionals in managing “the ebb and flow between information and knowledge” (p. vii). According to the editor, Jack Meadows, it is the responsibility of information handlers to facilitate the conversion of ordered and meaningful data (information) into knowledge, that is, into “information which is absorbed and understood” (p. vii). What special knowledge and skills do information handlers need to assist in this conversion? “What do they do to ensure that information can ultimately be understood and applied by its end user?” (p. viii). These are the major questions that this book sets out to answer. They are important
Book
Reviews
525
questions, particularly at this time, when new information professions are emerging and the boundaries between established occupations are becoming blurred or breaking down entirely. Indeed, Meadows justifies the writing of this book by arguing that “a parallel examination of information workers” (p. viii) might provide help in defining “what transfer of knowledge is necessary if one group of information workers is to participate in the activities of another” (p. viii). The eight original essays fall broadly into three groups. Three of the chapters deal with knowledge and knowledge transmission generally. “Classifying Knowledge” (Derek Langridge) looks at different classification systems. Michael Reed in “Artefacts, Archives and Knowledge” explores the transmission of knowledge over time and the impact of time on the message and meaning of artefacts. “Epilogue: Differing Views of Knowledge” (Kevin McGarry) discusses historical and cultural influences on the structuring of knowledge. Three additional contributions explore the specialised knowledge needed by different groups in the information chain. In his own essay Meadows looks at the skills and knowledge authors need to help the end user convert information to knowledge. J. M. Brittain describes the knowledge used by information scientists in his essay “Information Scientists and Knowledge.” He analyses how it differs from that of librarians and the effect that information scientists have on the “corpus of knowledge” (p. 94). In “Teachers and Knowledge” Helen Lewins writes of the knowledge base required by teachers as they perform their role of helping students translate information into knowledge. Two other essays provide more general introductions to the roles and functions of information institutions and workers. In “Publishers and Knowledge,” John Feather surveys historical and current developments in commercial book publishing houses. He also raises a number of issues central to the questions addressed in the book, for example, the de-skilling of designers and editors, the transfer of control to authors, and the new knowledge required as publishers move into the design and creation of databases. Maurice Line’s chapter, “Librarians and Knowledge,” focuses on the contributions libraries and librarians make to knowledge through the value-added processes of selection, recording, provision, and preservation of materials. There are interesting segments in all of the contributions-Reed’s and Brittain’s, in particular. There is, however, very little new or original in the essays. Moreover, much of the material, particularly that on the roles and functions of information workers and institutions, would be familiar to most information professionals. I also have reservations about the coverage of the book. Perhaps the most notable gap is the lack of attention given to non-book and non-print information. Indeed, Meadows’ introduction makes the point that there are different information chains for various types of information; nevertheless, only one information chain-that dealing with commercial books-receives extensive coverage. Even for this chain the types of intermediaries included are restricted, and the reasons for their inclusion are largely unexplained. Because of the narrow coverage, its value as a student text may be limited. As intended by the editor, the book allows the “parallel examination” of the knowledge and skills needed by a sample of information handlers. However, it suffers from a lack of integration. Partly, this is due to the different approaches the authors take to addressing the major questions presented in the “Introduction.” For example, the contributors seem to have quite different ways of defining and using the terms “information” and “knowledge.” Although this rarely hampers understanding of the individual essays, it does detract from the congruence and continuity of the book. It is also unclear precisely how the general essays contribute to an understanding of how information professionals facilitate the conversion of information to knowledge. For the above reasons, the audience for this book would seem limited. This is unfortunate, as the central idea, which is stated to have originated with Kevin McGarry, is sound and undoubtedly an important area of interest to many information handlers.
School of Information Studies University of Technology, Sydney Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Archival Appraisal. F. BOLES, in association with J. M. YOUNG. Neal-Schuman (1991). ix + 118 pp., $39.95, ISBN l-55570-064-0.
SLJSANEDWARDS
Publishers,
New York
Appraisal is the central and most challenging intellectual activity of the professional archivist, and the area most in need of both rigorous theory and practical guidelines. Appraisal is the process of determining the value, and thus the disposition, of unique records based upon their continuing administrative, legal, and fiscal use; their value as evidence and their usefulness for research; their value
524
detailed examples (mostly from Mellon’s own experience), each with discussion and analysis. I particularly enjoyed Mellon’s advice, which is often based on her personal observations. For example, to help in composing the opening statement of an interview, she suggests: “Consider that you are telling a not-too-interested friend about your work rather than justifying your researcn to a dissertation committee” (p. 50). The major improvement I would like to see is in the index. It is very short, with personal-name entries and only about 50 subject entries. Various important issues discussed in the text, such as hypotheses, transcribing, and objectivity, have no entries in the index. In addition, there are some unpleasant typographical errors. The notion that naturalistic inquiry should come naturally to librarians is a recurring theme in the book. Mellon explains that “naturalistic inquiry is similar to librarianship itself -organizing knowledge to make it accessible” (p. 69). Intellectual processes used in data collection and analysis are similar to those used in the creation of classification schemes and in the process of classifying. The techniques to be employed depend on both the setting and the question to be investigated, and the presentation of the results depends on the audience. . . . Sounds familiar? Mellon’s book is very useful to anyone who wants to explore naturalistic inquiry.
Graduate School of Library and Information University of Washington Seattle, WA
RAYA FIDEL
Science
Artificial Intelligence; Its Role in the Information Industry. P. Medford NJ (1991). x + 114 pp., $39.50, ISBN o-93874-50-4.
DAVIES.
Learned
Information
Inc.,
For students or others requiring a concise introduction to the subject of AI technology in the information industry, including a clear “lay-of-the-land” and overview of current activity, this is a fine little book. Some may quarrel with Davies’ definition of artificial intelligence or at least find it jarring initially; he defines AI as “. . . the attempt to extend the power of computing machines to deal with the natural world, here understood as processes, situations, and objects which arise naturally” (p. 7). However, the examples he gives (problem solving, language understanding, and recognition of situations and objects) are immediately reassuring. Davies’ approach is to respond to the practical management concerns of both user organizations (what are the new developments and how can I prepare for them?) and suppliers (what are the market prospects?). Identifying the key AI applications as expert systems, natural language processing, and intelligent computer-aided instruction, he describes these and other technologies succinctly and assesses the potential relevance of each. Of natural language processing, for example, comparing it with the already strong commercial acceptance of expert systems, he predicts: “On a longer time-scale, it will probably be of at least equal significance” (p. 15). Separate chapters focus on what should be the interests and concerns of online vendors (referred to as “host organizations,” p. 65) and database producers. A final chapter discusses supporting technologies (i.e., “the tools and delivery systems required for AI applications development in the near future” (p. 79). Appendices include a quick glimpse of international initiatives, a very complete glossary, and a selective bibliography.
School of Library and Information Dalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
MARY DYKSTRA
Studies
Knowledge and Communication: Essays on the Information Association Publishing (A Clive Bingley Book), London 0-85157-454-K
Chain. A. J. MEADOWS (ED.). Library (1991). ix + 164 pp., $55.00, ISBN
Knowledge and Communication explores the role of information
professionals in managing “the ebb and flow between information and knowledge” (p. vii). According to the editor, Jack Meadows, it is the responsibility of information handlers to facilitate the conversion of ordered and meaningful data (information) into knowledge, that is, into “information which is absorbed and understood” (p. vii). What special knowledge and skills do information handlers need to assist in this conversion? “What do they do to ensure that information can ultimately be understood and applied by its end user?” (p. viii). These are the major questions that this book sets out to answer. They are important
Book
Reviews
525
questions, particularly at this time, when new information professions are emerging and the boundaries between established occupations are becoming blurred or breaking down entirely. Indeed, Meadows justifies the writing of this book by arguing that “a parallel examination of information workers” (p. viii) might provide help in defining “what transfer of knowledge is necessary if one group of information workers is to participate in the activities of another” (p. viii). The eight original essays fall broadly into three groups. Three of the chapters deal with knowledge and knowledge transmission generally. “Classifying Knowledge” (Derek Langridge) looks at different classification systems. Michael Reed in “Artefacts, Archives and Knowledge” explores the transmission of knowledge over time and the impact of time on the message and meaning of artefacts. “Epilogue: Differing Views of Knowledge” (Kevin McGarry) discusses historical and cultural influences on the structuring of knowledge. Three additional contributions explore the specialised knowledge needed by different groups in the information chain. In his own essay Meadows looks at the skills and knowledge authors need to help the end user convert information to knowledge. J. M. Brittain describes the knowledge used by information scientists in his essay “Information Scientists and Knowledge.” He analyses how it differs from that of librarians and the effect that information scientists have on the “corpus of knowledge” (p. 94). In “Teachers and Knowledge” Helen Lewins writes of the knowledge base required by teachers as they perform their role of helping students translate information into knowledge. Two other essays provide more general introductions to the roles and functions of information institutions and workers. In “Publishers and Knowledge,” John Feather surveys historical and current developments in commercial book publishing houses. He also raises a number of issues central to the questions addressed in the book, for example, the de-skilling of designers and editors, the transfer of control to authors, and the new knowledge required as publishers move into the design and creation of databases. Maurice Line’s chapter, “Librarians and Knowledge,” focuses on the contributions libraries and librarians make to knowledge through the value-added processes of selection, recording, provision, and preservation of materials. There are interesting segments in all of the contributions-Reed’s and Brittain’s, in particular. There is, however, very little new or original in the essays. Moreover, much of the material, particularly that on the roles and functions of information workers and institutions, would be familiar to most information professionals. I also have reservations about the coverage of the book. Perhaps the most notable gap is the lack of attention given to non-book and non-print information. Indeed, Meadows’ introduction makes the point that there are different information chains for various types of information; nevertheless, only one information chain-that dealing with commercial books-receives extensive coverage. Even for this chain the types of intermediaries included are restricted, and the reasons for their inclusion are largely unexplained. Because of the narrow coverage, its value as a student text may be limited. As intended by the editor, the book allows the “parallel examination” of the knowledge and skills needed by a sample of information handlers. However, it suffers from a lack of integration. Partly, this is due to the different approaches the authors take to addressing the major questions presented in the “Introduction.” For example, the contributors seem to have quite different ways of defining and using the terms “information” and “knowledge.” Although this rarely hampers understanding of the individual essays, it does detract from the congruence and continuity of the book. It is also unclear precisely how the general essays contribute to an understanding of how information professionals facilitate the conversion of information to knowledge. For the above reasons, the audience for this book would seem limited. This is unfortunate, as the central idea, which is stated to have originated with Kevin McGarry, is sound and undoubtedly an important area of interest to many information handlers.
School of Information Studies University of Technology, Sydney Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Archival Appraisal. F. BOLES, in association with J. M. YOUNG. Neal-Schuman (1991). ix + 118 pp., $39.95, ISBN l-55570-064-0.
SLJSANEDWARDS
Publishers,
New York
Appraisal is the central and most challenging intellectual activity of the professional archivist, and the area most in need of both rigorous theory and practical guidelines. Appraisal is the process of determining the value, and thus the disposition, of unique records based upon their continuing administrative, legal, and fiscal use; their value as evidence and their usefulness for research; their value