This book, first published in 1989, introduces readers to expert systems applications in many areas of library and information science, and presents design and implementation issues encountered by librarians who have developed early systems to address the library reference function. Systems for ready reference, online database access, and enhancement of subject searching in online catalogues are all explored. Theoretical issues related to expert systems are balanced with descriptions of actual systems currently operating or under development. Reference librarians interested in computing and automation, library managers and administrators, as well as teachers and students in library schools, will be fascinated by this account of how expert systems are helping to make the expertise of the reference librarian available in a more consistent and timely fashion and reduce the burden of repetitive, predictable questions for the professional.

Part one of this book is a wide-ranging introduction to the concepts and methods of machine learning, with special reference to the development of expert systems. It surveys the major systems, describing how they work and how they may be put to practical use. Part two delves more deeply into a specific subject area. It contains detailed case studies of learning experiments which help to bring the goal of intelligent information retrieval closer to realization. The objective of the second part of the book is to demonstrate machine learning in action within an important contemporary field of information technology.

Describes the development and evaluation of PLEXUS, an expert system used to aid microcomputer retrieval of referral sources.