[12271] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: Agent-based Cooperative Collection Development -Reply
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Gerry Mckiernan)
Wed Jun 17 21:28:18 1998
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 19:18:39 -0500
From: Gerry Mckiernan <GMCKIERN@gwgate.lib.iastate.edu>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Hi Jeanette/=20
Thanks for your interest in my posting! I too have been =
frustrated with the conventional means of Collection Development Selection.=
[{:-<]=20
Yes, there _are_ indeed limitations of human-driven computer-based =
services, particulary when their is the lack of Intelligence by all =
systems, human or machine.=20
I believe that these limitations could be overcome by an interface =
with a Conceptual Agent, as I briefly described in this posting. Here the =
key is to develop or generate an appropriate semantic map that could =
translate words into concepts [There is quite a bit of work in this area =
for other applications that certainly could be used here]=20
Yes, using the holdings of a comparable library would be useful for a =
number of reasons. And here one could consider the use of a Conspectus =
Agent for this purpose. More importantly, from a fiscal point of view, =
such comparions would help to identify that material that is not widely =
held but essential to the local program(s). =20
I believe that the local OPAC and associated subsystems can also =
enhance the selection progress. For example, one could consider the =
development of a Borrwing Agent that would interface with the overall =
System and Service. It would provide information to the Feedback Agent =
providing data on the activity reflected by Borrowing by the departmental =
users, Borrowing by non-departmental users and Borrowing for Interlibrary =
Loans. The subject headings, authors, publishers of such Borrowed =
materials would constitute key data provided to the Feedback Agent. =20
Thanks again for your interest!=20
Joy!=20
/Gerry =20
<<< Jeannette Woodward <aa2941@wayne.edu> 6/16 6:19p >>>=20
----------------------------Original message---------------------------- =
Gerry,=20
I'm fascinated with the idea of Agent-based Cooperative Collection =
Development. Last year, I was involved in opening our new library and had =
to spend what seemed to me an enormous amount of money with no time for =
traditional collection development procedures. Too much time had already =
been spent developing a profile with Blackwell North America and then =
poring over 40,000 order slips. It turned out to be time very poorly =
spent. Blackwell, in an attempt to sell as many books as possible, had =
placed every book in every conceivable category. The computer program =
that assigned categories was extremely primitive and seemed to make as =
many mistakes as correct designations. What actually worked was asking =
Brodart to run the orders of a dozen comparable libraries against one =
another. Ever since I've been thinking about the problem of using the =
computer to enhance and exploit human selection processes, not replace =
them.=20
I have the impression that your engine might eventually process the =
institutional input (departmental homepages, etc) very effectively but =
after my recent experience, my concern would be that intelligent human =
input wouldn't be available on the other end (Amazon, Blackwell, etc)=20
Jeannette=20
Jeannette Woodward Assistant Director Adamany Undergraduate Library Wayne =
State University Detroit, MI 48202 E-mail: aa2941@wayne.edu Voice: =
(313)577-4116 Fax: (313)577-5265)=20
